The Indianapolis Colts haven’t had consistent quarterback play since Peyton Manning left town over a decade ago. Andrew Luck showed promise before his shocking early retirement, and Anthony Richardson was supposed to be the answer until he wasn’t.

Now Daniel Jones has stepped in and given the Colts their best start in years. The former New York Giants quarterback, who many wrote off as average, has found new life under Shane Steichen’s system and emerged as one of the league’s more effective passers through the early weeks.

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His hot start even earned him a spot on the ManningCast, recently, where Eli Manning couldn’t resist having some fun with the comparison everyone’s been making.

“My question is, do you agree with my take that you are already the greatest quarterback in Indianapolis Colts history?” Eli turned to him and asked, while Peyton couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s your take, huh? Three games, three games, that’s your take?” Jones replied, laughing. “Yeah, I don’t know if I can go that far yet, but it’s been a good start for us.”

The playful exchange highlighted something important about Jones. He spent his rookie season learning from Eli in New York, building a relationship that clearly endures today. That experience with a veteran quarterback shows in how he’s handling the pressure of leading Indianapolis.

Colts fans are understandably excited about what Jones might become for this franchise. But expecting him to reach Peyton Manning levels isn’t realistic. Few quarterbacks in NFL history ever do, and that’s not a knock on Jones.

Peyton Manning pats the back of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, ahead of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

What Indianapolis really needs is for Jones to maintain his current level of play. If he can do that consistently, a playoff appearance suddenly looks possible. And maybe, just maybe, he can eventually guide them back to a Super Bowl like Manning once did.

The quarterback carousel in Indianapolis might finally be slowing down.

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