The Indianapolis Colts were dealt a brutal blow in Week 14. Daniel Jones, who had been one of the league’s most surprising success stories this season, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s a season-ending injury-and potentially a career-altering one.
Jones was in the midst of a remarkable comeback campaign. After bouncing from the Giants to the Vikings, he landed in Indianapolis on a one-year, $14 million "prove-it" deal.
And prove it he did. He exceeded expectations, helped turn the Colts into one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses, and looked like he had finally found a long-term home.
But now, with his season cut short, everything is up in the air-for him, for the Colts, and possibly for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Before the injury, the Colts were already having internal conversations about a contract extension for Jones, according to reporting from ESPN. That’s how much faith they had in his performance and leadership.
It was a bold shift in direction-one that gave GM Chris Ballard the confidence to trade away two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner. That kind of move signaled a team that believed its quarterback question was answered.
But this injury changes the equation.
Achilles injuries are no small matter, especially for quarterbacks who rely on mobility and timing. Recovery typically takes 9 to 12 months, and even then, there’s no guarantee a player returns at full strength. Jones will be 29 by the time the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around, and the Colts now face a difficult decision: wait for his recovery and risk a lost season, or pivot to a new quarterback plan altogether.
That’s where the Steelers come in.
Pittsburgh has been in quarterback limbo since Ben Roethlisberger hung up the cleats. They’ve cycled through short-term solutions, hoping to find a spark.
If Jones hits free agency in 2026, and the Colts decide not to re-sign him, the Steelers could be a logical landing spot. Yes, they’d be taking on the same risks Indy would-uncertainty around Jones’ health and availability-but Pittsburgh has shown a willingness to roll the dice at quarterback.
Mike Tomlin and the Steelers front office have made bold moves before. Taking a chance on a former first-round pick who’s shown he can lead an offense when healthy wouldn’t be out of character. And if Jones can return to form, he could be the kind of steady, experienced presence the Steelers have been missing under center.
Of course, this all hinges on recovery timelines, offseason evaluations, and how the Colts choose to respond. But what’s clear is this: Daniel Jones was on track to become the face of the Colts’ offense. Now, his future in Indy is uncertain, and his next chapter-wherever it may be-will be one of the most intriguing quarterback stories to watch heading into 2026.