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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon during the first quarter of their Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7, 2025.
When the Indianapolis Colts initially made their blockbuster trade with the New York Jets in the middle of the 2025 campaign, it was done with the right intentions. Sending two future first-round picks for corner Sauce Gardner signaled two things for the organization. First was that they were pushing all their chips for a Super Bowl run. Second was that they were most likely committing to Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.
But just as the Colts took their biggest swing in years, the franchise would strike out following a curveball of injuries that derailed their Super Bowl aspirations and threw their QB questions back into flux.
Just over two months since Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon, the team has to decide whether to re-sign the upcoming free agent to a long-term deal. Do they commit to a player coming off his second major leg injury, and do they believe he can regain the momentum that made the team willing to make such a bold move in the first place? All signs currently point towards yes; however, skepticism is understandable.
As the NFL Free Agency period approaches in March, ESPN analyst and commentator Louis Riddick tempered expectations about the Colts decision to sign Jones to a massive extension.
Riddick Beleives the Indianapolis Colts Should Offer Daniel Jones a Sam Darnold Deal
GettySam Darnold signed a 3-year, $100,500,000 contract with the Seattle Seahawks last offseason.
When asked if Jones is worthy of a long-term extension, Riddick said, “He is, but it’s not going to be at what the franchise tag would suggest. It’s not going to be at $47 (million) per year. That’s not what he’s worth.”
Riddick believes Jones should get a deal closer to what Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield received, which sits around $33-35 million per year.
Riddick also acknowledged that Jones may push for more than that, given his hot start to the season, but warned the Colts to be cautious about how much money they choose to invest.
“The Colts obviously understand what they have what they have in him, Riddick said on Get Up.
“And they understand they understand that maybe he has found now the right fit with Shane Steichen. But I think you also have to be kind of very conscious of what kind of long-term deal you sign with this young man, and really what his average per year ends up becoming.”
Riddick finished his sentiment by stating that the Colts should feel good about their quarterback room if they walk into next season with Jones and Riley Leonard.
Jones Price Could Increase If The Colts Allow Him to Test the Market
GettyIndianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones scored 24 total touchdowns in 2025 while throwing for 3,101 yards across 13 games.
An additional issue with Daniel Jones potential contract is that he has a significant amount of leverage. ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum prefaced on Get Up that a quarterback-needy team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons, or the Minnesota Vikings could potentially stretch Jones price tag and lure him away from Indy.
Spotrac currently has Jones market value set at $43.6 million, with him projected to sign a four-year contract. The Colts have the 13th most cap space in the league, but with no first-round picks and additional key free agents, general manager Chris Ballard will have to be careful.
Ballard is on the hot seat heading into the season and needs to improve the roster while retaining the key pieces that gave the Colts their hot start. All eyes will be on the decisions he makes in the offseason as the team attempts to add the final pieces to a Super Bowl puzzle.
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