All-Time Colts QBs Ranked: Manning #1, Unitas #2

Daniel Jones

Starter Injured 8 Years
3,101 Pass Yds
19 TDs
8 INTs
24 Total TDs
Daniel's
HAIR
29.0
HeyTC AI Rating
#19 Active

Questions about Daniel Jones or the Colts?

Daniel Jones Today

HEYTC AI
Daniel Jones, HeyTC's #19-ranked quarterback, saw the Colts' playoff dreams dashed in a heartbreaking loss after an 8-9 finish marred by his torn Achilles that derailed a sizzling 8-2 start on his one-year, $14M prove-it deal. Indy brass is all-in on re-signing the 28-year-old free agent to a top-tier extension—think three years, $135M or $40-50M annually—betting he'll be Week 1 ready despite the rehab timeline, though cap constraints ($35.5M under) force tough calls on retaining breakout WR Alec Pierce, RT Braden Smith, S Nick Cross, and LB Germaine Pratt. With Shane Steichen calling plays and no major coaching shakeups, watch for draft picks to bolster the lines amid a five-year playoff drought; if they nail the QB commitment and roster tweaks, 2026 could finally end the misery in a loaded AFC South.

Daniel Jones Rating Breakdown

Season
Good
Fantasy
Good
Playoffs
Average
Overall
Delulu
1 year with the Colts

Daniel Jones Contract & Salary

Status Free Agent
Contract Length 1 years
Total Value $14,000,000
Avg/Year (APY) $14,000,000
Free Agent 2026

Daniel Jones 2025 Stats via ESPN

3,101 Pass Yards
19 Pass TDs
8 INTs
68.0% Comp %
29.0 HAIR
100.2 Passer Rtg
8.1 Y/A
13 Games
164 Rush Yards
5 Rush TDs

Should I Keep Daniel Jones?

HEYTC AI
DUMP 7/10 Confidence (High)

Daniel Jones revived his career with the Colts in 2025, posting career-best 68% completion, 3,101 yards, 19 TDs, and QB17 finish despite missing the final four games to injury, averaging a top-12 18.0 fantasy PPG. At 28, he offers short-term keeper appeal on a one-year deal, but injury concerns and contract uncertainty cap his dynasty ceiling.

Daniel Jones Fantasy Projections & Matchup Analysis
QB22 Dynasty Rank
28 Age
2-4 years Elite Years Left
Medium Trade Value
Career Trajectory: Peak

Worth a mid-round keeper (Rounds 8-10) if your league values 2025 breakout stats, but don't overpay beyond Round 7 given injury history and prove-it contract.

Team Situation

Colts showed offensive firepower in 2025 with wins like 38-14 over Titans, but Jones' one-year deal and late-season injury cloud QB stability; no clear 2025 playoff mention suggests middling finish.

Long-term Factors
  • Career resurgence with elite efficiency and rushing upside in 2025
  • Season-ending injury and one-year deal raise re-signing risks
  • Age 28 provides window, but inconsistent track record tempers optimism

Daniel Jones Career Timeline

HEYTC AI
2026 1

Enters free agency with mutual interest to re‑sign with Colts

Jones became an unrestricted free agent at the end of his first year in Indianapolis, but Colts GM Chris Ballard publicly stated that both sides have ‘mutual’ interest in a new contract and that the team views Jones as a potential long‑term answer at quarterback despite his Achilles recovery timeline of roughly 6–8 months.

2025 2

Suffers torn Achilles after earlier fibula issue

After briefly being slowed by a fibula injury, Jones suffered a season‑ending torn right Achilles tendon in Week 14 against the Jaguars, landing on injured reserve and contributing to the Colts’ collapse from an 8–2 start to an 8–9 finish.

Wins Colts starting job and leads 8–2 start

Jones beat out former first‑round pick Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starting role in Indianapolis and led the Colts to an 8–2 start, with personal‑best marks in completion rate (68.0%) and passing yards per game (238.5), and a league‑leading 52% passing success rate before injuries derailed the season.

2024 1

Joins Indianapolis Colts on one‑year deal

Following a six‑year stint with the New York Giants, Jones signed a one‑year, $14 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 offseason (ahead of the 2025 season), arriving to compete for the starting job and help stabilize a franchise searching for a long‑term answer at quarterback.

2023 1

Signs multi‑year extension with Giants

After four seasons as the Giants’ starting quarterback, Daniel Jones signed a significant multi‑year contract extension to remain New York’s franchise quarterback, reflecting the team’s commitment to him despite an ‘embattled’ early career.

2019 1

Drafted 6th overall by New York Giants

Daniel Jones was selected by the New York Giants with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, entering the league as the organization’s planned successor to Eli Manning at quarterback.

8 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel Jones

How did Daniel Jones perform in 2025?

Daniel Jones had an impressive start to the 2025 season with the Colts, leading them to an 8-2 record before suffering a torn Achilles injury in Week 14 against the Jaguars, which contributed to a seven-game losing skid and missing the playoffs. He completed 68.0% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and appeared efficient with a 100.2 quarterback rating (6th in the NFL), though one report notes a less stellar 63.6% completion on 2,549 yards, 21 TDs, and 7 INTs in 13 games. The Colts scored 34.3 points per game early on, tying for second in the NFL.

What's next for Daniel Jones?

As an impending free agent after his one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts, Daniel Jones is expected to command over $40 million per season based on his strong 10-game sample before the injury. The Colts face decisions on re-signing him while he recovers from the torn Achilles, potentially pairing him with a veteran bridge like Marcus Mariota if they look elsewhere. His future hinges on Indianapolis' plans amid limited draft capital for QB alternatives.

Will Daniel Jones be traded?

Daniel Jones is not currently subject to trade rumors as an impending free agent rather than under contract, with focus on whether the Colts will re-sign him to a lucrative extension post his injury-shortened 2025. Reports suggest Indianapolis is pinned financially, limiting trade pursuits, but his free agency could lead to team shopping if no deal is reached. No active trade talks are reported as of early 2026 offseason.

What is Daniel Jones's current ranking?

Daniel Jones is currently ranked #19 on HeyTC's Daily AI Quarterback Rankings with an overall score of Delulu (28.99 tier). This placement reflects his promising but injury-marred 2025 season and uncertain free agency outlook. Rankings consider his efficiency gains amid career volatility.

Is Daniel Jones a franchise quarterback?

Daniel Jones showed franchise potential in 2025 with top-tier completion and rating metrics before his Achilles tear, but his career trajectory includes stints with three teams in two years and prior disappointments, raising doubts. While he boosted the Colts early, experts question long-term reliability given injury history and sample size. He remains a high-upside gamble rather than proven elite.

What is the biggest offseason news about Daniel Jones?

The biggest offseason storyline for Daniel Jones is his impending free agency and potential $40M+ per year contract after a torn Achilles in Week 14 derailed the Colts' playoff push following an 8-2 start. Indianapolis must decide on re-signing the 29-year-old amid recovery concerns and limited QB options. This comes after his one-year prove-it deal proved his passer upside.