The Indianapolis Colts haven’t seen the playoffs since 2020 and haven’t won 10 games in a season since. Five years is a long drought, and last season looked like it might finally be the one to end it.
Indianapolis jumped out to an 8-2 start in 2025, and for a stretch, they were one of the better offenses in the league. Quarterback Daniel Jones was a big reason why. Through the first 10 games, the Colts averaged 3.17 points per drive, ranking fourth-highest by any team through that span this century.
Jones threw for 19 touchdowns, added five more on the ground, posted a 100.2 passer rating, and kept turnovers manageable with just eight interceptions. That kind of consistency hadn’t been seen in Indianapolis since Philip Rivers was running the offense.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones stands on the field prior to a game.Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Then came the injury. Jones ruptured his right Achilles tendon, the season unraveled, and the Colts finished without a playoff spot once again.
Owner Charlie Irsay-Gordon is not walking away from what she saw before it fell apart, though. Speaking recently, per The Athletics’ James Boyd, she made clear the team’s belief in Jones hasn’t wavered.
“Obviously, the human body is a mystery and everything points to his rehab going great, everything went well. And he’s gonna do all of the right things, so I’m really convicted that he’s gonna be good,” Irsay-Gordon said.
“It’s sort of like last year, before we kind of faced some adversity and went downhill, it’s like we pressed pause on a movie and now we’re pressing play, and we get to see what happens at the end, which I think is gonna be a really cool thing.”
It’s a hopeful way to look at it. But the concern that existed before still exists now. Jones has made it through just one full season in seven years in the NFL.
What helped bring him back was more than just front office belief. His relationship with head coach Shane Steichen carries real weight, and wide receiver Alec Pierce made no secret of wanting Jones back in the building. That combination of locker room trust and coaching continuity pushed the deal over the line.
The Colts locked Jones in on a two-year contract worth $88 million with $50 million fully guaranteed. Pierce also got paid, signing a four-year deal at $114 million with $60 million guaranteed. Both moves signal where Indianapolis is putting its chips.
With those commitments in place, the Colts are working with $26.6 million in remaining cap space according to Over the Cap. There’s still room to add pieces before the roster is set.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.