Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones’ career season will likely lead to a big payoff in 2026, and the Colts are firm on keeping him.
That said, there could be suitors waiting to offer Jones after the 2025 season if he doesn’t sign by free agency. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, who listed Jones as the top potential free agent for 2026, acknowledged as such but named the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers as potential suitors.
Cleveland has rookie Dillon Gabriel starting at quarterback, and he’s a recent third-round pick, as the franchise searches for answers. The Steelers will likely look for a new quarterback in 2026 since Aaron Rodgers could retire after the season.
That said, the Colts wouldn’t want to see Jones get away and land with any AFC rival, let alone an NFC team that needs a strong signal caller. Indianapolis is enjoying its best season since the abrupt retirement of former franchise quarterback Andrew Luck in 2019, so the Colts are quite familiar with what it’s like to live in quarterback no man’s land.
Daniel Jones Projected For $200 Million Deal
Knox projects a mega deal of four years, $200 million for Jones, and the Colts could go for it with a projected $57.98 million in salary cap space for 2026.
“There’s a very good chance the top player on our board doesn’t actually reach free agency,” Knox wrote. “Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is playing at an All-Pro level, has Indianapolis looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and is making the sort of highlight-reel plays we’re used to seeing from Jalen Hurts or Josh Allen.”
Jones’ career year of 2,404 yards and 14 touchdowns versus six interceptions amid the team’s 7-2 start says it all. He completes 69.6% of his passes and averages 8.2 yards per completion, and he still poses a threat on the ground with 90 yards rushing and five touchdowns this season.
“At only 28 years old, Jones still has the potential to become a franchise-caliber quarterback and long-term answer for a team,” Knox wrote. Just about any QB-needy team would be wise to make a run at Jones if he reaches the market. He should surpass the $33.5 million annually that Sam Darnold got this offseason by quite a bit, potentially approaching the $53 million annually that Brock Purdy received.”
Eli Manning on Daniel Jones: ‘No One Deserves It More’
While Jones looks to accomplish what Peyton Manning did in Indianapolis, Jones has won the praise of former New York Giants teammate Eli Manning, whom Jones replaced in 2019.
“Just excited for Daniel. As I said, no one deserves it more, or has worked harder, and he did it from day one,” Manning told Kay Adams on the Up & Adams podcast on Thursday. “If you’re gonna lose your job to someone like I did. At least it’s to someone that’s coming in and working really hard and earned the right, and prepared and studied.”
Jones had a strong season in 2019 with 3,027 yards passing for 24 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions, but things went mostly downhill from there. He hasn’t thrown for 20 or more touchdowns since, and he only eclipsed 3,000 yards one other time before the Giants released him in 2024.
All of that could change in the second half of the 2025 season for Jones in Indy.
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