Indianapolis Colts embattled longtime general manager Chris Ballard appears as though he already knows his starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season\u2014even if he\u2019s not currently under contract with his club.<\/p>\n
Further, that quarterback may not even be ready for next year\u2019s opener, although time will tell.<\/p>\n
Of course, that quarterback referenced by Ballard is a familiar face: Daniel Jones, who is currently recovering from a season-ending torn Achilles suffered in Week 14, and is expected to be one of the Colts\u2019 top priorities for retaining this offseason\u2014along with breakout starting wideout Alec Pierce.<\/p>\n
Ballard didn\u2019t shy away when reiterating his franchise\u2019s commitment regarding hopefully continuing with Jones:<\/p>\n
When fully healthy, Jones was on pace to be a legitimate Pro Bowler\u2014and was still named a Pro Bowl alternate, despite being hurt late in the season and missing the Colts\u2019 last 4 starts.<\/p>\n
Leading the league\u2019s most prolific offense (and a historically elite one at that) before his injuries, Jones completed 261 of 384 pass attempts (68%) for 3,101 total passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions during 13 starts in his debut campaign in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
The pairing of him and head coach Shane Steichen was highly productive, and with the latter announced as returning by team owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon, it only makes sense that Jones does too for 2026.<\/p>\n
Especially, when considering the Colts lack of clear upgrades as readily available options. The 2026 free agent quarterback market either has well past their prime veterans or inferior replacements to Jones. Regarding the draft, the Colts are without their 2026 first round pick as a result of the trade deadline Sauce Gardner deal.<\/p>\n
Bringing back Jones on a short-term deal, even recovering from the Achilles tear, makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the young quarterback who lost last year\u2019s offseason quarterback competition with Jones, soon-to-be 4th-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, was lauded by general manager Chris Ballard for being a great teammate this past year and making strides, but having had a myriad of injuries (the latest being sheer terrible luck) and speculated earlier maturity issues, could be on his way out of Indianapolis this offseason:<\/p>\n