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Daniel Jones warming up in a Colts uniform under the guidance of head coach Shane Steichen.
NFL careers don’t always move in straight lines. For Daniel Jones, the 2022 season with the New York Giants looked like the breakthrough moment that would define his career. Jones threw for 3,205 yards, tossed 15 touchdowns against just five interceptions, and added 708 rushing yards with seven scores on the ground. In the playoffs, Jones looked like a quarterback capable of carrying a team. However, the seasons that have followed have been reminders of how fragile success can be when the right system isn’t in place. Now in Indianapolis, Jones has a new opportunity under Head Coach Shane Steichen—and the question is how to rediscover that version of Daniel Jones.
Why 2022 Worked
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Jones’s success in 2022 wasn’t the result of suddenly morphing into an elite pocket passer. Instead, it was the byproduct of a carefully designed offensive system that amplified his athleticism and limited exposure to his weaker tendencies. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka built around shorter, controlled throws, crossers, quick outs, and bootlegs that turned potential sacks into positive yardage. When plays broke down, Jones wasn’t told to stand tall and force the ball. He was encouraged to run.
That design also worked because the Giants could lean on Saquon Barkley, who churned out 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Defenses couldn’t sell out against Jones without being punished by Barkley’s consistency. Together, the formula was simple: play fast, stay ahead of the sticks, and finish drives in the red zone.
Steichen’s Role in the Reset
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For Jones to reclaim that form in Indianapolis, Steichen must borrow from that very blueprint while adding his own creative spin. His August 25th comments offered a glimpse of his approach:
“Yeah I think that’s a big part of it.” Steichen said. “With him being the guy now, going through that operation, obviously going through the Miami tape this week and next week with him, what he likes, what he doesn’t like, obviously catering around his strengths is all part of it.”
Steichen showed in Philadelphia that he can build an offense for a dual-threat quarterback. He helped Jalen Hurts succeed with RPOs, quick reads, and red-zone efficiency. These strengths fit Jones well. The goal isn’t reinvention, but reinstallation—this time with Steichen’s creative touch.
Details Define Success
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Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will be tasked with stitching the offensive details together week by week. The foundation of this blueprint’s success starts with a dependable running game. Without a consistent threat on the ground, the rest of the plan falls apart. From there, Cooter’s approach should mirror what worked for Jones in 2022: reducing risk with short, controlled throws while leveraging his mobility as a weapon. That doesn’t mean overloading Jones as a runner—it means empowering him to extend plays, move the chains, and put constant stress on defenses. With a solid rushing attack setting the foundation, Cooter can then build confidence through efficient passing and restore the kind of red-zone efficiency that made 2022 such a breakthrough season.
For Jones, the path forward is clear. The quarterback who once turned heads in the postseason is still there. It’s now up to Steichen and Cooter to recreate the conditions that allowed him to excel. Daniel Jones can be more than just a fleeting memory of one great season; he has the potential to lead again.
More Heavy on Colts
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