Nobody saw this type of season coming from the Indianapolis Colts. At 7-2, they are firmly in the mix for the top seed in the AFC heading into a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin on Sunday.
It has been quite the turnaround for Indy, which hasn’t won a playoff game since 2019 and is looking every bit like a team that could buck that trend. Many key players are responsible for this turnaround, but one veteran in particular could be closing in on a bag if he can keep leading this squad to more wins over the second half of the season.
During a recent episode of 3 & Out with John Middlekauff, the topic of quarterback Daniel Jones‘ looming free agency came up. Middlekauff mentioned that the way the Colts navigated the trade deadline sent a message about their intentions with him.
“That Sauce Gardner trade basically sent out a signal. We are ready to win now. This year, next year, our time is now. I think Daniel Jones now is looking at, if he got $80 million at signing three years ago, and they win a playoff game, are we talking $150 million?” Middlekauff said.
Daniel Jones & his agents are ZONED IN. @JohnMiddlekauff thinks the Colts have signaled to their QB that they are ready to commit to him at the NFL trade deadline and believes that Jones will not be taking any discounts. pic.twitter.com/87MX800Fzm
— 3 & OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) November 8, 2025
This kind of contract for Jones would have been unfathomable just two months ago, but for a team that hasn’t found consistency at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired, it has to commit to Jones if he keeps this up. The Colts have the best offense in football, and that wouldn’t be possible without Jones playing at an MVP level.
That being said, we were reminded of how the bottom can fall out last week when Jones threw three interceptions in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turnovers marred his entire tenure with the New York Giants, and he’ll need to remain mistake-free if $150 million is truly in his future. A Jones extension would be the final nail in the coffin for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis, but it’s tough to argue that Jones shouldn’t be the guy for at least a few more years.
NEXT: Jonathan Taylor Reveals Honest Thoughts About Sauce Gardner Trade