NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Looking at the state of the Indianapolis Colts this season, some fans might have to eat crow on Daniel Jones. While Jones might not be the sole reason for the Colts’ turnaround, he’s definitely holding his own under center. So what did Indianapolis unlock that the New York Giants couldn’t?
It’s been said all along, specifically by me, that Daniel Jones was not the problem in New York. While he wasn’t having the type of career the Giants had hoped for, there was more going on with the Giants, but the QB is always the scapegoat. In his time in NY, the Giants couldn’t stay healthy. Apologies to the Giants, but let’s be honest. Saquon Barkley was their biggest asset, and the Giants looked like fools for letting him go. In fairness, his health was always a concern. Not to mention, as far back as I can remember, has there been a season where the Giants had a unit of healthy wide receivers?
Now, if Daniel Jones was so good, why didn’t the Vikings make a plan for him to start? Simple. Not only did the Vikings already have a QB in Sam Darnold who was dealing a hot hand last season, but they already planned their QB of the future, believing he was in-house with JJ McCarthy. Why wouldn’t they go after an alternative backup while Jones pursued a potential starting job elsewhere?
So here we are, in Indianapolis, and Daniel Jones is proving his worth with the Colts. Indianapolis wasn’t too far off from a playoff team last season, but the team invested in a very young and very raw Anthony Richardson, who wasn’t getting the job done. Of course, they should’ve taken a flyer on a former starting QB, even just for veteran presence.
“Sounds like y’all didn’t know much.” ??
Daniel Jones to @EvanWashburn on what outsiders knew about the @Colts heading into the season pic.twitter.com/bxtaqdgh8b
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) October 19, 2025
Eventually, Jones would win the job, and now the Colts should never look back. That’s not to say that Daniel Jones is the guy to lead them to a championship, but the team can afford to pivot. Right now, Jones is on pace for 4,300+ yards, 24 TDs, and 7 Ints, which are respectable stats. This is the main contribution to their winning ways. He’s not exactly lighting up the football field, but he’s top 5 in total passing yards, and he’s taking care of the football, something that was an issue for him with the Giants. Add in the fact that the Colts have a decent enough lead in their division and own the current best record in football, and you have to ride out with Daniel Jones.
I know what you’re thinking. “If Daniel Jones isn’t going to get them a championship, why would he be their QB1?” Another simple answer is you go with what’s working, and he’s what’s working. Furthermore, if they extend Daniel Jones, it allows them to pivot on Richardson, who needs a fresh start. He’s not going to turn it around for the Colts, and Indy should see what they can get at the trade deadline if anything.
From there, I would invest in a new QB of the future. Jones is only 28 years old, so he’s got a few years (at least) of his prime left. The mistake they made with Richardson, they could avoid with the next quarterback. While the clock could strike midnight at any moment for the Cinderella story that is Daniel Jones, the Indianapolis Colts are in a great position to make it work.
They’ve got a good stable of young talent to take the pressure off of Daniel Jones. They just as easily could and should bring in a #2 to be his successor, the same way the Green Bay Packers have been developing QBs for years. If they can manage this situation correctly, Daniel Jones can carry the load while simultaneously building their future.
