Colts quarterback Daniel Jones eyes playoffs in remarkable comeback season

It would not matter if he is battered, bruised, bloodied or all the above, as he was this previous week in Germany, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will all the time love a win.

The Colts earned their eighth win of the season, this time beating the Atlanta Falcons in extra time thanks to a different stellar efficiency by operating again Jonathan Taylor, who was among the many MVP frontrunners ten weeks into the season.

However Jones, the NFL’s chief in passing yards this season after a 255-yard efficiency with a landing move within the 31-25 win in Berlin, deserves plenty of credit score for a way good the Colts have been. It is truthful to say nobody anticipated this Indianapolis group to be among the many high Tremendous Bowl contenders, however Jones and firm have silenced any doubters as they enter the bye week.

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Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts warms up previous to a sport between the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts at Olympiastadion on November 9, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Maja Hitij/Getty Pictures)

This time final season, Jones was at a low level for a franchise quarterback. The New York Giants — the workforce that chosen him No. 6 general within the 2019 NFL Draft and signed him to a $160 million long-term extension in March 2023 — pulled the plug and launched him. He finally discovered a house in Minnesota, the place the Vikings signed him to their apply squad.

The reality was, Jones, and the remainder of the NFL world, did not know precisely the place he would land. Extra importantly, his days because the beginning quarterback on this league had been not assured.

In fact, that each one modified when he joined the Colts this offseason, received the quarterback competitors with Anthony Richardson on the depth chart and has been very regular for head coach Shane Steichen since. It is a captivating story this season, however one which displays gamers like Sam Darnold, his former Minnesota teammate, and Baker Mayfield.

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“I have not considered it an excessive amount of proper now, I suppose,” Jones advised Fox Information Digital when requested if he thinks he might be the following quarterback to solidify a brand new residence within the league. “We’re in the midst of it now, and like I stated earlier than, there’s nonetheless rather a lot forward of us. However I really feel very lucky to be right here. This time a 12 months in the past, clearly, it was very totally different for me and I used to be sort of discovering what the following step was and the place I used to be going to go. … The chance to affix the Colts and play with these guys was unbelievable. I have been very lucky that manner, and yeah, I believe I discovered rather a lot in New York and began my profession there. Grateful earlier than that, however you attempt to be taught as you go and benefit from the alternatives you will have.”

In line with Jones, there may be nonetheless rather a lot to do that season. As somebody whose work ethic has by no means been questioned, he believes the bye week can be utilized to determine what must be cleaned up. However there are definitely positives to remove from what has occurred in Indianapolis during the last ten video games.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, 17, throws earlier than an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on September 28, 2025. (Eric Thayer/AP Picture)

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“Crucial soccer is clearly what awaits us right here in November and December,” stated Jones, who spent his first day in the USA working with FedEx for its “Energy Transfer” marketing campaign. “So we’re definitely joyful the place we’re proper now to begin the season this fashion, however at this level you are attempting to construct on that and clear up what’s harm you in some spots and see if that is one thing you may construct on for the remainder of the season.”

The primary purpose, after all, is making the playoffs, which might be Jones’ second journey in his seven NFL seasons. He has a playoff win to his credit score – a victory over the Vikings through the 2022 season – which in the end solidified the Giants’ perception that he was their quarterback of the longer term.

However the Colts might have discovered their very own in Jones, who has thrown 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions whereas dashing for 143 yards and 5 scores. He signed a one-year contract price $14 million within the offseason, making him a free agent on the finish of the 12 months.

Colts followers have beloved what “Indiana Jones” has dropped at the place, and it is clear he is doing properly with gamers like Taylor, who stated Jones shares many similarities together with his former Giants teammate Saquon Barkley. Rookie tight finish Ty Warren and veteran receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs have all performed a giant function in getting Jones open — and naturally, the offensive line has finished its half in each the run and move video games to maintain the offense buzzing.

Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts smiles throughout warm-ups earlier than an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Pictures)

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The items of the puzzle appear to be falling into place for the Colts. The query is: will the quarterback keep put?

“I’ll say I’ve actually loved it right here,” Jones stated when requested if he sees this as his long-term residence. “We now have a particular group within the locker room. A particular group of gamers. I actually get pleasure from enjoying for these coaches and dealing with Shane and his workers.

“Indy is a sports activities city. They’re very passionate and supportive of us and all of the groups right here. So far as the longer term goes, I actually have not thought a lot about that. We now have rather a lot on our plate proper now, however I actually get pleasure from being right here, and I’ve loved it rather a lot.”

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