The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2025 season with optimism after signing veteran quarterback Daniel Jones to a one-year deal worth up to $17.7 million.
Jones won the starting job over Anthony Richardson and delivered what shaped up to be a breakout year, completing 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 starts. He posted career highs in completion percentage and passer rating. Jones helped Indianapolis start 7-1, positioning the Colts as early AFC contenders before injury setbacks derailed their campaign.
Jones battled a fractured fibula late in the season, playing through it before his campaign ended in Week 14 when he suffered a non-contact torn Achilles tendon during a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, immediately ruling him out for the rest of the year.
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Surgery followed, and the Colts turned to veteran Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement to start three games, and rookie Riley Leonard, as Indianapolis finished the season 8-9 and outside playoff contention.
With Jones’ contract expiring this spring and free agency approaching, there was uncertainty about whether the Colts would commit long-term to the 28-year-old, especially given the recovery timeline from Achilles surgery.
However, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Sunday that the Colts plan to open talks soon with Jones on a multiyear deal, signaling that the organization still views him as a core piece moving forward.
A multiyear extension is justified in part because Jones’ play before the injury showed real offensive growth under head coach Shane Steichen, giving Indianapolis a winning team identity. General manager Chris Ballard has previously expressed confidence in Jones and interest in a reunion.
“We'll work through that with his agent. He's got a really good agent. We'll find a way to work through that,” Ballard said in January.
Additionally, Jones is expected to be fully cleared by training camp after a six- to eight-month recovery, per medical projections, which keeps him in line to compete for the starting job in 2026.