The quarterback situation in Indianapolis just took a sharp turn, and the ripple effects could shape the Colts’ offseason strategy in a big way. With Daniel Jones officially out for the remainder of the season due to a torn Achilles, the team is suddenly staring down a major question mark under center - not just for the rest of this year, but potentially beyond.
Jones, who will hit free agency at season’s end, leaves the Colts in a tricky spot. Even if they choose to bring him back, they’ll need someone who can take the reins in the meantime - and possibly compete for the job outright.
The injury timeline for an Achilles tear is no joke, especially for a quarterback who relies on mobility. So the Colts’ front office is already being linked to a few potential replacements.
Two names that have surfaced? Kyler Murray and Mac Jones.
Now, Murray’s situation in Arizona is its own saga, but let’s focus on the more attainable - and perhaps more realistic - option: Mac Jones. After stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy this season in San Francisco, Jones has put together a solid body of work.
Through 10 games (eight starts), he’s thrown for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns. Nothing earth-shattering, but certainly competent - and in today’s NFL, that’s a valuable commodity.
Here’s the catch: the Colts would need to trade for him. Jones signed a two-year deal with the 49ers in the spring, so he’s not hitting the open market.
That said, the price tag might not be outrageous. Indianapolis doesn’t have a first-round pick until 2028, thanks to the blockbuster trade with the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
That deal sent their 2026 and 2027 first-rounders to New York, effectively taking them out of the running for a top quarterback prospect in the next two drafts.
That makes a trade for a mid-tier veteran like Jones all the more appealing. A Day 2 or even Day 3 pick could get the job done - and for a franchise that’s been cycling through quarterbacks since the Andrew Luck retirement, some stability, even short-term, might be worth the investment.
It’s not just about filling a gap. The Colts have a competitive roster, and if they believe they can contend in the AFC South with the right signal-caller, this becomes more than just a stopgap move. It’s about keeping the window open - and making sure they’re not wasting the prime years of a strong core.
So as the Colts head into the final stretch of the season with their starter shelved, don’t be surprised if the front office starts working the phones. Whether it’s Mac Jones or someone else, Indy needs answers at quarterback - and they need them soon.