{"id":842430,"date":"2026-03-30T05:57:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T05:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/842430\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T05:57:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T05:57:43","slug":"why-carlie-irsay-gordon-is-convinced-daniel-jones-is-right-guy-at-qb-for-colts-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/842430\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Carlie Irsay-Gordon is convinced Daniel Jones is right guy at QB for Colts"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2014 Carlie Irsay-Gordon<\/a> cares deeply about how the pieces fit together.<\/p>\n

From the big-picture relationship between the general manager and head coach to the smaller stuff, like whether the plays the Colts<\/a> are practicing during the week end up getting called on Sundays.<\/p>\n

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Daniel Jones<\/a> is the perfect fit for this team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat chemistry that a quarterback needs to have with their head coach,\u201d Irsay-Gordon said of why Jones fits with the Colts. \u201cI don\u2019t want to name any names, but there are situations where your head coach doesn\u2019t believe in your quarterback, I mean, you\u2019re kind of screwed. I think Shane (Steichen) and Daniel really align.\u201d<\/p>\n

The last time Irsay-Gordon spoke publicly, the Colts\u2019 principal owner said she\u2019d stay in her lane on evaluating the quarterback position.<\/p>\n

But Indianapolis did not greenlight a two-year, $88 million deal for Jones this offseason without Irsay-Gordon\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n

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Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) looks on after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) looks on after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) lead blocks for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, against the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Charvarius Ward #7 of the Indianapolis Colts on field during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard (4) and safety Camryn Bynum (0) celebrate after Bynum forces a turn over against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks to throw downfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 17: Grover Stewart #90 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after a fourth down stop during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 17, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans, 38-14.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) during warmups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025.<\/p>\n

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Sep 7, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) celebrates with offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) after a touchdown during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) pulls in a catch for a first down Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 23: Laiatu Latu #97 of the Indianapolis Colts intercepts a pass made by Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (not pictured) in the first quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) makes a catch Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The play was called back on a penalty.<\/p>\n

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 22: Jaylon Jones #40 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts during the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass thrown by Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Raiders 40-6.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) reacts after a kickoff return Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez (8) kicks the ball Monday, July 28, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts defensive end JT Tuimoloau (91) sings while warming-up Thursday, July 31, 2025, during Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) snaps Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Matt Goncalves (71) prepares for stretching Thursday, July 24, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) stands on the field Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts place kicker Spencer Shrader (3) kicks Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) gets a five from fellow offensive tackle Blake Freeland (73) on Friday, July 25, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore brings down Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube.<\/p>\n

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Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Tanor Bortolini (60) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Jalen Travis #75 of the Indianapolis Colts takes the field during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 07: Safety Daniel Scott #32 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) celebrates with Indianapolis Colts tight end Will Mallory (86) after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 14: Blake Grupe #10 of the Indianapolis Colts kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gould (6) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) and guard Josh Sills (66) walk onto the field Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, before a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers during training camp at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Colby Wooden (96) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. (11) brings down Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (21) during the second half of a game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 33-8.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts guard Dalton Tucker (68) gets a drink of water Thursday, July 24, 2025, during training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Sean McKeon.<\/p>\n

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Aug 9, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Giants center Jimmy Morrissey (67) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) throws downfield against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards (35) reacts after breaking up a pass Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Austin Ajiake (58) wraps up Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (14) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

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Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Durell Nchami (74) hits Green Bay Packers quarterback Taylor Elgersma (19) as he throws during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Aug 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker John Bullock (57) looks on after a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 07: Cornerback Reuben Lowery #30 of the Baltimore Ravens in action during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts safety Trey Washington (41) catches the ball Thursday, July 31, 2025, during Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Aug 16, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Hunter Wohler (30) catches a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Aug 6, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Washington Commanders safety Ben Nikkel (48) stretches at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Bayron Matos, from the Dominican Republic, is practicing with the Miami Dolphins as an offensive tackle.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Jack Wilson (76) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, during the first day of training camp held at Grand Park in Westfield.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts player Tim Smith (93) stretches during training Camp at Grand Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Westfield, Ind.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts running back Ulysses Bentley IV (37) dances after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Coleman Owen (3) rushes the ball Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

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Aug 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Seth Henigan (19) walks toward the sideline against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Joseph Vaughn (49) works to bring down Cincinnati Bengals running back Quali Conley (40) on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

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Dec 30, 2023; Tucson, AZ, USA; Wyoming Cowboys safety Wyett Ekeler (31) against the Toledo Rockets during the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key (49) is congratulated after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.<\/p>\n

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Defensive end Micheal Clemons #72 of the New York Jets warms up before the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.<\/p>\n

Her belief in Jones is rooted in the way the team operated with him at the helm, on and off the field.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe quarterback is the CEO of our football team, basically,\u201d Irsay-Gordon said. \u201cI think it also helps our team to have an identity. It helps the coaches and people like Shane know, this is what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irsay-Gordon loves the way Jones and Steichen work together.<\/p>\n

For her, a team\u2019s alignment is not based only on knowing who has the final say, but that everybody in the building is being put in the right position to succeed, based on their strengths, weaknesses and ability to articulate what they need.<\/p>\n

When she watches Jones work with Steichen, suggesting minor alterations to plays the Colts design in order to fit him better or take advantage of something he\u2019s seen in the defense, Irsay-Gordon sees a well-oiled machine.<\/p>\n

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That\u2019s another one of the reasons Irsay-Gordon believes Jones is the right quarterback for Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rest of the team wanted Daniel back, too,\u201d Irsay-Gordon said. \u201cI think that\u2019s really important to listen to what the team is saying, too, because they know everything. People can laugh, but the players know, and I think their input is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playing the game on paper is easy.<\/p>\n

From the outside, based on Jones coming off a torn Achilles tendon and his lengthy history of inconsistency in New York, there was criticism of the team\u2019s decision to bring back Jones, in large part because there were other reclamation projects available who wouldn\u2019t have broken the bank.<\/p>\n

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Those quarterbacks, in Irsay-Gordon\u2019s eyes, would not be able to replicate the chemistry Jones built with the staff and locker room in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaniel, he\u2019s an amazing teammate,\u201d Irsay-Gordon said. \u201cA week after his Achilles \u2026 he\u2019s out at practice on his wheely thing, he\u2019s getting Riley (Leonard) ready for that Houston game, he\u2019s like, \u2018I\u2019m not going to miss any of these meetings with Philip (Rivers), the opportunity to learn from him.’ He\u2019s just immediately back in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Indianapolis<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones moves along the sideline on a scooter Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, ahead a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

The Achilles tendon is the complicating factor.<\/p>\n

Obviously. A player coming back from a torn Achilles tendon often takes a full year of play to regain all of his explosiveness and athleticism, and when a fractured fibula robbed Jones of his mobility for two games before the Achilles tear, it was clear that the Indianapolis offense wasn\u2019t the same.<\/p>\n

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Irsay-Gordon is putting her faith in her quarterback\u2019s dedication.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s given me pause, since we just signed him for a pretty good chunk of change,\u201d Irsay-Gordon said. \u201cDaniel, the fact that he has that work ethic, that mindset, and what I love about him, too, is we\u2019ve got this platform where he can go out there and prove what he wants to prove. It\u2019s good to have guys that have a chip on their shoulder in a good way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irsay-Gordon\u2019s belief in Jones is a sign of organizational alignment.<\/p>\n

Early last season, before the rest of the NFL caught up to the fact that Jones was playing better than ever before at the head of the league\u2019s most efficient offense, Steichen already believed he\u2019d found the right player.<\/p>\n

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Colts general manager Chris Ballard has echoed his head coach\u2019s thoughts throughout the offseason, repeatedly telling the public that Jones was the team\u2019s only option at the position, then putting the team’s money where his mouth was by signing Jones to a deal that pays the quarterback more on an\u00a0annual basis than most analysts expected<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Daniel Jones contract: Did Colts overpay? Here’s why it makes sense<\/a><\/p>\n

Irsay-Gordon, the most important voice in the room, is right in step with the two decision-makers she brought back for 2026 despite loud criticism from the fan base.<\/p>\n

With a healthy Jones, the Colts believe they can finish what they were setting up with an 8-2 start.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m really convicted that he\u2019s going to be (the right guy),\u201d Irsay-Gordon said. \u201cIt\u2019s sort of like last year, before we faced some adversity and went downhill, it\u2019s like we pressed pause on a movie, and now we\u2019re pressing play, and we get to see what happens at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joel A. Erickson<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Nathan Brown<\/a>\u00a0cover the Colts\u00a0all season. Get more coverage on\u00a0IndyStarTV<\/a>\u00a0and with the\u00a0Colts Insider newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Daniel Jones is the right QB for Colts according to Carlie Irsay-Gordon<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PHOENIX \u2014 Carlie Irsay-Gordon cares deeply about how the pieces fit together. From the big-picture relationship between the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":841849,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2059],"tags":[21476,2005,2772,7,221,2004,392,2381,28627,6],"class_list":["post-842430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-indianapolis-colts","tag-carlie-irsay-gordon","tag-colts","tag-daniel-jones","tag-football","tag-houston","tag-indianapolis","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-indianapoliscolts","tag-irsay-gordon","tag-nfl"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116316601502719681","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/842430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=842430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/842430\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/841849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=842430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=842430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=842430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}