The Indianapolis Colts want to keep their quarterback in town. After failing to reach a long-term deal with Daniel Jones, they had to decide on his franchise-tag situation.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Colts chose to place the transition tag on the former New York Giants draft pick. While that gives them the right to match any offer he may get, it also puts them at risk of losing him to another team.
More than that, it may also have broader implications for their roster and offseason plans, particularly regarding star wide receiver Alec Pierce.
So with the deadline closing in, Indianapolis decides to place a transition tag on Jones.
“The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, per sources,” Schefter wrote on X. “The transition tag is $37.833M, more than $6M cheaper than the QB franchise tag, but gives Jones the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with another team that Indianapolis would then have the right to match.”
This means that they cannot franchise-tag Alec Pierce, who will now become the most sought-after wide receiver in free agency. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll leave, but they cannot stop him from negotiating with other teams.
According to Over The Cap, the Colts are currently $4.7 million over the salary cap. They can lower Jones’ massive $38.7 million cap hit by signing him to a new deal, but it leaves them a bit hampered in potential negotiations with Pierce.
Jones revived his career in his lone season playing for Shane Steichen, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards and 24 total touchdowns in 13 games.
The Colts will reportedly move on from former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. They’re clearly committed to Jones as their quarterback for the future, even if that means missing another of their stars.
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