The Indianapolis Colts informed Daniel Jones Sunday night that he will not be traded before Tuesday’s deadline. Jones has had a rough time in the league over the last few years he has been in the league. This is now his third team; he has been in discussions about being moved within the league. However, based on the discussion with the Colts, they want him to stay on the team, although he should not continue as a starter. Here’s why: within the next year, Jones needs to be a backup quarterback and not a starting quarterback.
The playmaker has been struggling since his days in New York with the Giants. He has never been able to compete with any other player on his team. He was selected in the 2019 NFL Draft to replace former Giants quarterback Eli Manning. That said, no matter how hard Manning tried to show him and humble him about how to be a good quarterback, Jones has not been able to find the right way to make his plays happen. He can’t find the right opening, and running has become harder for him due to injuries.
Since then, the Duke product was selected by the New York Jets and later picked up by the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent the rest of the season as their backup quarterback. Jones did not play much, but the former Giants quarterback did get to observe what went on on the field. The following season, after entering free agency, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal, then signed a two-year, $88 million extension in 2026.
His recent results are why the Colts have been looking at him and discussing a possible trade. The former first-round pick has only thrown for three touchdowns and six interceptions over the course of his last four games. Jones has also had fewer than 200 passing yards. In his game against Dallas, the veteran signal caller finished with 180 yards, one interception, and one touchdown. The team has had limited scoring production because of how he’s been running his plays. This has been making it harder for the Colts to win altogether. These turnovers have definitely been costly for this team.
Indianapolis may have to have him sit out the next game or two and allow someone else to take over. The team currently has a record of 2-5. It’s not a good look for the team, and it’s making them question why his name is being thrown around in trade discussions. Jones was not the only one rumored to be traded; many teams are after the Colts’ running back, Jonathan Taylor, before Tuesday's trade deadline. Indianapolis needs to figure something out with their quarterback position before it’s too late and the season is officially gone.
These issues have not only occurred while he’s been with the Colts, but they were also an issue when he was playing for the Colts. It was understandable that he did not have an offensive line capable of protecting him at the time. However, now with this team, this should be a different story. There should be less flash from him and more consistency, both of which are key to his future success. Indianapolis may be giving him the rest of this season to prove himself.
