After showing positive signs of finally having a franchise quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts will have to go back to step one following Daniel Jones‘ tearing his right Achilles tendon in Week 14.
The quarterback was on track to have the best season of his career in passing yards and touchdowns. The former Duke Blue Devil was performing so well for the Colts that he was receiving some dark-horse MVP nods earlier in the season.
The quarterbacks after Jones are questionable, as the following two backups are also dealing with their own injuries that could sideline them for the rest of the season. Indy had to sign a retired Philip Rivers to help address the quarterback situation for the remainder of the season.
Jones tearing his Achilles tendon late in the season can pose an issue for the Colts if the team plans to re-sign him for the 2026 season, as his healing process would take a few months and may sideline him for the first few weeks of the new season.
While Rivers would be an answer for the remainder of this season, Indianapolis needs an answer for the the beginning of next season.
Acquiring Former First Round Pick?
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts could trade for a former first-round Pro Bowler
The Indianapolis Colts don’t have the resources to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and most likely wouldn’t use one to draft a player who would get benched later on in the season.
While there will be players in the market in free agency, none can truly be considered a real option to hold down the fort while Daniel Jones heals and puts the team in a spot to make the playoffs.
CBS Sports’ Joel Corry believes the Colts’ best option moving forward is to acquire a QB via trade to help the team. The analyst believes Indianapolis should trade for San Francisco 49ers‘ backup Mac Jones.
“[Daniel] Jones’ injury puts his future with the Colts in jeopardy. Without first-round picks, it becomes far more difficult for Indianapolis to pivot to a new quarterback through the NFL Draft… The 2026 quarterback class is considered mediocre at best,” Corry wrote. “There aren’t great alternatives in free agency.”
“Mac Jones would be the best trade option. He kept the 49ers afloat during the eight games Brock Purdy missed with a turf toe injury and will be entering a contract year in 2026, when he’s scheduled to make $4.66 million. With the modest salary and a shallow quarterback market, San Francisco should have leverage in any Jones trade talks.”
In the 8 games Mac Jones has started while Purdy was out, he threw for 2,151 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. The QB has been averaging around 2,548 passing yards and 13 touchdowns per season, which could be what the Colts need in the meantime while waiting for Daniel Jones to return.
First Round QB On Colts Roster
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts may use another first-round quarterback next season
Indianapolis could have the answer to who could be the starting quarterback at the beginning of the 2026 season, if the team does not move on from him.
Anthony Richardson was benched in his first two seasons in the NFL and was named the backup quarterback to Daniel Jones. Many believed the training camp battle with Jones was his last opportunity, but he may have one more chance.
If Richardson, who is still only 23 years old, could at least hold down the team in the first few months of the 2026 season, he could cement that he can play in the NFL after not starting his career off on the right foot.
Using the former Florida Gator quarterback would benefit Indy the most, as it would not require them to trade any assets to acquire another. It would also have a QB who is familiar with the system and won’t need any adjusting.
This would be Richardson’s last chance and he will need to make the most of it.
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