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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
You never root for injuries, but the New York Jets stand to benefit from devastating injury news.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14. That will end his 2025 season.
“A look at the Colts’ current QB landscape: Daniel Jones will undergo surgery for his torn Achilles. Riley Leonard is now the only healthy QB on their 53-man roster, Brett Rypien is on their practice squad, and they could add to their QB room this week. Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve due to [a] fractured orbital bone suffered during pregame warmups earlier this season,” Schefter explained.
“[The] Colts’ last four games: At Seattle, San Francisco, Jacksonville, [and] At Houston,” Schefter added.
How This Colts Injury Impacts the Jets
The Jets struck a blockbuster deal with the Colts for Sauce Gardner ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline. In exchange, the Jets received first-round draft choices in 2026 and 2027.
With Jones out for the rest of the season, the chances of the Colts winning have dramatically decreased. Also, their final four games are among the most difficult in football.
If the 2026 NFL draft started today, the Colts would have the No. 21 overall pick in the first round, per Tankathon, which belongs to the Jets. However, if their losing ways continue, Indianapolis could find itself outside of the playoff picture.
All non-playoff teams will have a top-18 pick in the first round. That would result in a better pick for the Jets.
Top Social Media Reactions to Jones Injury – Jets Impact
“Man… What has unfolded since the trade deadline may have set the Colts franchise back years,” PFF NFL draft analyst Trevor Sikkema said on social media.
Scott Mason of Play Like a Jet posted, “Colts still have to play JAX again plus SEA, SF, & HOU. Decent chance they lose all 4 of those games if Daniel Jones is out, which would put them at 8-9. If that happens, Jets could get an extra top 15 pick, which would be a huge advantage in potential QB trade up scenarios.”
Colts still have to play JAX again plus SEA, SF, & HOU. Decent chance they lose all 4 of those games if Daniel Jones is out, which would put them at 8-9. If that happens, #Jets could get a ln extra top 15 pick, which would be a huge advantage in potential QB trade up scenarios.
“[Expletive] sucks for Daniel Jones. From a New York Jets draft impact that ripple effect will significantly impact the 2027 pick just as much as 2026,” NYJ Matt wrote.
Fucking sucks for Daniel Jones
From a New York Jets draft impact that ripple effect will significantly impact the 2027 pick just as much as 2026
“Sauce injury + Daniel Jones likely tears his Achilles just an awful string of bad luck it’s wild,” The Jet Press posted on X previously Twitter.
No Matter What Happens, This Is Huge for the Jets
A better Colts selection could help the Jets trade up for a franchise quarterback if they don’t get high enough organically.
Or if the Jets decide to wait on the quarterback position until 2027, it would give them better assets to build their team and fill the roster holes.
Gardner got the sweet taste of victory in his first game with the Colts versus the Atlanta Falcons in Germany. However, since that moment, Indianapolis has lost three straight games.
Indy tried to go all in on a limited Super Bowl window. It doesn’t look like it worked. Now the Jets stand to benefit in the long term.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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