As of writing this, the Indianapolis Colts are 7-2, tied for the number 1 team in the AFC with the Patriots and Broncos. Daniel Jones, now nicknamed “Indiana Jones”, has been leading this team since he was named the starter over Anthony Richardson before the season started. Jones was cut from the Giants after a failed career there, and he was destined to be a backup for the rest of his NFL career. The Colts changed that destiny, though, as Jones is currently thriving in Indy.
The Colts just faced a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Daniel Jones threw 3 interceptions and lost 2 fumbles. The Colts’ first loss of the season to the Rams was also a disappointing show by Jones, as he threw 2 interceptions that game, and both losses had a score of 20-27. He still leads the league in passing yards with 2,404, is 12th in the league in passing touchdowns with 14, and has thrown 6 interceptions. Jones has been quite successful on the ground this season, with 5 rushing touchdowns and 90 rushing yards.
Jones was the sixth overall pick in 2019, being selected by the New York Giants. He had a good season for a rookie, throwing for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Giants ended the season 4-12, but Giants fans had hope for this team in the upcoming years, with the recently drafted running back Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, who looked promising.
Unfortunately, Jones did not uphold these hopes from the fans. He threw for 2,943 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, a massive regression from his first year in the league. The sophomore slump did lead the Giants to a 6-10 record, a slight improvement from the previous year. Over the next 4 seasons, Daniel Jones didn’t live up to the hype surrounding him coming out of Duke University. He made the playoffs once in his time in New York, going 9-7 in 2022.
The next two years were a disaster for Jones, as he led the Giants to a 2-6 record the next year before getting injured for the season. He then started the 2024 season for the Giants for the last time, as he went 1-6, before getting cut.
After getting cut, Daniel Jones signed with the Vikings’ practice squad but never got any playtime. In the offseason, Jones moved his bags to Indianapolis, signing a one-year contract with the Colts. Indianapolis went 8-9, barely missing the playoffs the prior season, with 2nd year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Many believed the Colts should move on from him after he had not lived up to the expectations of the 4th overall pick in 2023. Although the Colts didn’t intend to move on from Richardson just yet, they signed Jones for some insurance. However, Indianapolis changed its mind before the season started and named Jones the starting quarterback.
Many people are doubting the Colts despite their success because no one wants to believe in a quarterback who has been a disappointment most of his career. Colts running back Johnathan Taylor’s having an MVP season so far with 12 touchdowns and 895 yards; he leads the league in both stats. Daniel Jones and his receivers, such as Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, are still a large part of the offense.
I would say that the Colts are true contenders this year. While they have had an easy schedule so far, they will be tested in the upcoming weeks with games against the Chiefs, Texans, and Seahawks. I see them winning some playoff games this winter, but it’s still hard to believe that Daniel Jones can pull off a Super Bowl win after his disastrous last few years. However, anything can happen in the NFL.
