INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts might not be playing in Super Bowl LX, but their quarterback Daniel Jones has a special connection with both quarterbacks vying for the Lombardi Trophy.
Jones and Patriots signal caller Drake Maye are both from Charlotte, North Carolina. Jones has crossed paths with Maye’s brothers in the past.
Jones also had a front row seat to Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold’s rise to the big game. The two were teammates in Minnesota last season. Jones could tell right away what makes Darnold successful.
“Week in and week out, he was extremely consistent,” Jones said. “I think that was just a big impression I had when I got there. He was playing at such a high level, and every week it was the exact same process, the exact same start from square one and build it back up. Nothing good or bad really affected how he went about his work or his process. I was really impressed being around him.”
Even before they shared a locker room, Jones was a fan of Darnold.
“It’s been fun watching him,” Jones said. “I’ve always thought he’s extremely talented. Really, really good, really good quarterback and a good dude, so he’s an easy guy as a friend to root for, for sure.”
Jones and Darnold have had similar journeys. Both were first round draft picks to New York teams who found success elsewhere. Seattle’s the fifth team Darnold’s played for, while the Colts are stop No. 3 for Jones.
Jones says seeing Darnold get to the Super Bowl after everything he’s gone through gives him confidence for his own future – wherever that may be.
“You’re always growing. You’re always developing. You’re always learning in anything but as a football player, as a quarterback,” Jones said. “I saw Sam kind of through that process last season. I think there’s been a number of guys kind of go from a situation that didn’t work out for whatever reason, and they find maybe there’s better chemistry, maybe they’ve learned, maybe it’s a combination of all those things, but I think there’s a lot that goes into it.”
As for who Jones is picking for this year’s game…
“I’m pulling for both quarterbacks to play well,” Jones said with a big smile.
Either way, he’ll be tuned in on Sunday.