Quarterback Daniel Jones is having a great season with the Indianapolis Colts. But is he the team’s long-term answer?
Jones’ career has been far from perfect. He was disappointing for the majority of his time with the New York Giants, who drafted him in the first round in 2019.
Jones did have a good season, though, in 2022. That year, he threw for 3,2015 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven scores. In addition, he led the Giants to a playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones signed with the Colts this past offseason. He has gone from being a bust with the Giants to becoming a star in Indianapolis. This season, he has passed for 2,659 yards (second-most in the league. But more importantly, he has teamed with star running back Jonathan Taylor to lead the Colts to an 8-2 record.
While Jones has looked like a star with the Colts thus far, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be the team’s starter for many years to come.
Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a touchdown pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Daniel Jones Might Be the Colts’ Long-Term Answer at Quarterback
Replacing Andrew Luck Isn’t Easy
August 24, 2019, is one of the saddest days in Colts history. That was when franchise quarterback Andrew Luck retired abruptly.
Over the years, the Colts have struggled mightily to find a replacement. Philip Rivers signed with the team in 2020. The veteran signal-caller led Indianapolis to the playoffs during his first season. However, he wound up only playing one year with the team before retiring. Sadly, the Colts haven’t made the playoffs since that year.
Indianapolis later brought in quarterbacks like Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew, and Joe Flacco. Yet, none of those guys were the answer, either.
The Colts’ revolving door was supposed to end in 2023 when they drafted Anthony Richardson fourth overall. Two years have passed, though, and the former Florida star has not emerged as a franchise quarterback yet. Jones beat out Richardson for the starting job this year.
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a pass during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Is Jones the Real Deal?
Again, Daniel Jones has played great football during his first year in Indy. He has revived his career, much like Sam Darnold did last season.
No one knows for sure, though, if Jones is the long-term solution at quarterback. It appears that the Colts believe he is. That’s why they traded two first-round picks for cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at this year’s NFL trade deadline.
Giving up two first-round picks is extremely risky. There’s always a possibility that Jones could regress significantly. And if that happens, not having high draft picks would make it very difficult for the Colts to draft a future star quarterback. However, Indianapolis is obviously sold on Jones.
Jones had a hot start to this season. Yet, he has committed a total of seven turnovers over the last two games. If he can get back to playing like he did earlier this season and avoid making a lot of turnovers, Jones could certainly be the Colts’ long-term answer. He’s talented and has flourished in head coach Shane Steichen’s system. Perhaps the quarterback carousel is finally over in Indy.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – Imagn Images