The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up a wild offseason move by locking in Daniel Jones for two more years. The deal is worth $88 million and could hit $100 million with incentives, which puts the quarterback right in the middle of the franchise’s plans moving forward.
Jones got to Indianapolis in March 2025 and helped the team rip off a 7-1 start before injuries derailed everything. A fractured fibula and ruptured Achilles ended his season, but not before he put together what might have been the best football of his career.
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He threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns, landing just 104 yards short of his career-high in passing yards and six touchdowns away from his best mark in that category.
Daniel Jones shares injury update
With the new contract in place, the big question now is when he’ll be ready to play. Jones recently sat down with The Pat McAfee Show and laid out his recovery goal for 2026.
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“My goal is to be back by week 1 and be ready to go. I think that’s what we’ve been working towards and should be able to accomplish,” Jones said. “It’s all process. We’ll keep checking the boxes, working with the guys here, working with the Colts. I’m planning on being back and the goal is shooting for week 1.”
The timing of this extension makes more sense when you look at what the Colts were dealing with.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Anthony Richardson requested a trade, leaving the Colts without an obvious starter. The draft did not offer much relief either, especially after the team sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets last November to land Sauce Gardner.
The transition tag was just a placeholder. Jones’ new deal averages out to at least $44 million per season, putting him right below Patrick Mahomes in average yearly value.
Still, once Jones gets back on the field, he will have Alec Pierce to throw to, which was not a given just days ago. The Colts have lost key players like Braden Smith and Michael Pittman, but the roster is not in bad shape for what Jones needs around him.
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