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It doesn’t matter if he’s beaten, bruised, bloodied or all of the above like he was in Germany last week, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will always love a win.
The Colts earned their eighth win of the season, this time beating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime thanks to another stellar performance from running back Jonathan Taylor, who was among the MVP favorites 10 weeks into the season.
But Jones, the NFL’s leader in passing yards this season after a 255-yard performance with a touchdown pass in the 31-25 win in Berlin, deserves a lot of credit for how good the Colts are. It’s fair to say that no one expected this group from Indianapolis to be among the top Super Bowl contenders, but Jones and company silenced any doubters heading into the bye week.
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Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts at Olympiastadion on November 9, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
This time last season, Jones was at an all-time low for a franchise quarterback. The New York Giants – the team that selected him 6th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and gave him a long-term, $160 million extension in March 2023 – pulled the plug and released him. He eventually found a home in Minnesota, where the Vikings signed him to their practice squad.
The truth was that Jones and the rest of the NFL world weren’t sure where he would land. More importantly, his days as a starting quarterback in this league were no longer guaranteed.
Of course, that all changed when he joined the Colts this offseason, won the quarterback competition with Anthony Richardson on the depth chart and has been steady for head coach Shane Steichen ever since. It’s a fascinating story this season, but one that mirrors that of players like Sam Darnold, his former teammate in Minnesota, and Baker Mayfield.
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“I haven’t thought about it much, I guess, at this point,” Jones told PK Press Club Digital when asked if he thinks he could be the next quarterback to solidify a new home in the league. “We’re in the middle of it now, and like I said earlier, there’s still a lot ahead of us. But I feel very fortunate to be here. This time around, a year ago, it was obviously a lot different for me and I kind of figured out what was next and where I was going to go. … The opportunity to join the Colts and play with these guys has been incredible. I’ve been very fortunate in that way, and yeah, I think I’ve learned a lot in New York and started my career there I’m grateful for that, but you try to learn along the way and take advantage of the opportunities available to you.
For Jones, there is still a lot to do this season. As someone whose work ethic has never been questioned, he believes the bye week can be used to determine what needs to be cleaned up. But there are certainly some positives to take away from what happened over the 10 games in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California on September 28, 2025. (Eric Thayer/AP Photo)
“Obviously the most important football is what’s ahead here in November and December,” said Jones, who was spending his first day in the United States working with FedEx for its “Power Move” campaign. “So we’re certainly happy to be where we are to start the season this way, but at this point you’re trying to build on that and clean up what hurt you in certain spots and see if that’s something you can build on for the rest of the season.”
The first goal is obviously to make the playoffs, which would be Jones’ second trip in seven NFL seasons. He has one playoff win under his belt – a victory against the Vikings during the 2022 season – which ultimately solidified the Giants’ belief that he was their quarterback of the future.
But perhaps the Colts found theirs in Jones, who threw 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions while totaling 143 yards and five scores. He signed a one-year contract worth $14 million this offseason, making him a free agent at the end of the year.
Colts fans appreciated what “Indiana Jones” brought to the position, and it’s clear he thrives with players like Taylor, who said Jones shares many similarities with his former Giants teammate Saquon Barkley. Rookie tight end Ty Warren and veteran receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs all played major roles in getting Jones open — and, of course, the offensive line did its part in the running and passing game to keep the offense humming.
Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts smiles during warmups before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
The pieces of the puzzle appear to be in place for the Colts. The question is: will the quarterback stay put?
“I will say I really enjoyed my time here,” Jones said when asked if he considered this his long-term home. “We have a special group in the locker room. A special group of players. I really enjoy playing for these coaches, working with Shane and his team.
“Indy is a sports town. They’re really passionate and supportive of us and all the teams here. As far as the future, I haven’t really thought about it much. We have a lot on our plate right now, but I’m really enjoying being here and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
