Will Former Top-10 Pick Fit With Colts?

Ever since Chris Ballard’s year-end press conference, everybody knew the Indianapolis Colts would add a quarterback to compete with Anthony Richardson. And that’s exactly what the team did by signing former New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones.

No, Daniel Jones isn’t going to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. Yet, he’s a solid quarterback who can give Richardson some competition in training camp.

Signing Daniel Jones Was an Excellent Move by the Indianapolis Colts

Looking Back at His Career

Daniel Jones played collegiately at Duke University. He was the starter for three years after redshirting his first season. Jones was named MVP of the 2017 Quick Lane Bowl, passing for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown during that contest. In his senior season, Jones was named the MVP of the 2018 Independence Bowl as he threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns. He was also MVP of the 2019 Senior Bowl.

The Giants selected Daniel Jones sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He began his rookie year, serving as Eli Manning’s backup. Yet, he ultimately replaced Manning as the starter in Week 3. In his first start, Jones passed for 336 yards with a 112.7 passer rating and two passing touchdowns along with 28 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He became the first Giants’ first rookie quarterback to win his first career start since 1980. Jones was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 3 performance.

During the 2022 season, Jones threw for a career-high 3,205 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns. Jones powered the Giants to the playoffs, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round. The Giants then signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract.

Last season, Daniel Jones was benched and eventually released by the Giants. He later signed with the Vikings, becoming Sam Darnold’s backup. Jones never appeared in a game for the Vikings.

Why Jones is a Good Signing

When the Colts drafted Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023, they believed they had landed their franchise quarterback. However, he hasn’t looked like a franchise quarterback after his first two seasons.

Richardson can still turn out to be a superstar quarterback. He must improve his accuracy issues and find a way to stay healthy, though. Richardson needs a push to take his game to the next level.

Daniel Jones can give that push. He will duke it out with Richardson in training camp. He’ll either win the starting job or serve as a quality backup for Richardson.

Like Richardson, Jones is also a dual-threat quarterback. That means Indianapolis doesn’t have to change the offense much. Plus, Jones has started 69 NFL games and has playoff experience as well.

Jones is signing a one-year, $14 million contract that’s worth up to $17.7 million and includes $13.15 million guaranteed. Therefore, it’s not much of a gamble signing him. If Daniel Jones has a horrible 2025 season, he’ll be a free agent this time next year and the Colts will be off the hook.

“Danny Dimes” has struggled the last few years. But he could wind up reviving his career in Indianapolis.