{"id":736235,"date":"2026-02-07T18:40:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T18:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/736235\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T18:40:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T18:40:21","slug":"should-colts-daniel-jones-command-top-tier-qb-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/736235\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Colts’ Daniel Jones Command Top-Tier QB Contract?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daniel Jones<\/a> took full advantage of his one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts<\/a> during the 2025 season. <\/p>\n

Jones was signed to a very modest deal after the disastrous 2023 and 2024 seasons with the New York Giants to compete with Anthony Richardson Sr.<\/a> It turned out to be a smart move by Jones, as he’d harness the starting role and never look back. <\/p>\n

Now, the Colts must decide how much they’re willing to pay Jones, as it’s highly likely that he’ll be retained after showing such promise in his first year with Shane Steichen. <\/p>\n

The question is: Does Jones deserve top-tier quarterback money? Let’s briefly dive into why and why not. <\/p>\n

Why Jones Should \"Colts<\/p>\n

Nov 30, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) is introduced before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

First things first, it needs to be clarified what ‘top money’ means with the quarterback position. Below are the 10 highest-paid QBs by annual earnings per Spotrac. <\/p>\n

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) – $60 million Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) – $55 million Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) – $55 million Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) – $55 million Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) – $55 million Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) – $53.1 million Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) – $53 million Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) – $53 million Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers – $52.5 million Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) – $52 million <\/p>\n

While these names all make over $50 million annually, we can justify any annual earnings of $40 million or more as a big-time QB contract. Below are the QBs who make over this metric. <\/p>\n

Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals) – $46.1 million Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) – $46 millionKirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) – $45 millionPatrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) – $45 millionMatthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) – $42 million<\/p>\n

Jones deserves this because, until he fell to a season-ending Achilles injury, he was a top-five quarterback in the NFL. <\/p>\n

Despite only playing 13 games, Jones was cooking and looked the best he has in seven NFL seasons. <\/p>\n

Jones finished with 261 completions, a completion percentage of 68.0, 24 total touchdowns (19 passing, five rushing), and a career-best QBR of 63.1. <\/p>\n

Is Daniel Jones the long-term answer for Indianapolis Colts?@MikePitt_Jr<\/a> thinks so. pic.twitter.com\/XY6vnsVhji<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jones was one of the top players at his position for a majority of the 2025 campaign. Given how much the Colts want stability at the quarterback position, forecasting $40 million-plus annually isn’t a wild thought. <\/p>\n

Other teams will have Jones on their radar if they need more from their quarterback position, so the Colts will have some competition. <\/p>\n

Don’t be shocked if Indianapolis gives Jones something like a three-year, $135 million ($45 million annually) deal to keep him in the Circle City and finally quell their massive QB issues since 2019. <\/p>\n

Sign Up For the Colts Daily Digest – OnSI\u2019s Indianapolis Colts Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

Why Jones Shouldn’t \"Colts<\/p>\n

Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) leaves the field with an apparent injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While Jones did have an excellent 2025 season for Indianapolis, and starting quarterbacks tend to get paid big, multiple factors explain why he doesn’t warrant such a deal. <\/p>\n

First, this was just the second year that Jones has played good football. Before the 2025 campaign, Jones’ 2022 season was the only year in which he could be considered a potential top signal-caller. <\/p>\n

That year featured Jones leading the Giants to the playoffs, a Wild Card victory, and an efficient stat line of 317\/472 completions for 3,205 passing yards, 708 rushing yards, and 22 all-purpose TDs (15 passing, seven rushing). <\/p>\n

This led to Jones earning a four-year, $160 million contract ($92 million guaranteed) from the Giants. After this, Jones completely fell apart and dealt with injuries, forcing him to miss 18 games over the next two years. <\/p>\n

Played around with Sumer Sports’ site and filtered QB performance through multiple different scenarios. Daniel Jones ranked top 5 in EPA\/Play in these four notable situations:<\/p>\n

> Overall EPA\/Play in all situations (5th)
> Redzone (4th)
> Late Down (5th)
> Under Pressure (4th)<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jones did play great, but also stacked more injuries, including the critical Achilles tear that derailed his first year with Indianapolis to add another four games missed to his career. <\/p>\n

With these factors in place, Jones doesn’t deserve more than $40 million annually. Rather than this type of money, he might warrant contracts like the following quarterbacks. <\/p>\n

Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders) – $37.5 million Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) – $33.5 millionBaker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – $33.3 million <\/p>\n

Jones’ name and story have been linked to those of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, so it seems fitting that he could earn something similar to those two. <\/p>\n

Jones played great, but it’s not enough to give him massive money as a starting quarterback. If he can show consistency with injuries and continue where he left off in 2025, there’s always a possibility to extend him with more dinero. <\/p>\n

The Prediction \"Colts<\/p>\n

Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Given the breakdowns above, I don’t believe Jones should earn more than $40 million annually. <\/p>\n

This prediction is far less about Jones’ play on the gridiron and far more about his brutal injury history. While the Colts truly need him back, they can’t pony up ridiculous dough with so much risk. <\/p>\n

The best fit is similar to what was presented to Darnold and Mayfield, and if Jones outplays that type of contract, there can be an extension and restructuring of other contracts to make room. <\/p>\n

Until Jones shows he can get through returning from an Achilles injury and be more than a one-year wonder, a top-tier QB contract shouldn’t be gifted unless necessary. <\/p>\n

We’ll ultimately see what Chris Ballard decides to do, as other potential offers from various teams could ramp up how much Jones will cost Indianapolis. <\/p>\n

Anything can happen, but one thing’s for certain: Jones is very likely to remain with the Colts as their offensive leader. <\/p>\n

Recommended Articles