The Indianapolis Colts plan to engage quarterback Daniel Jones in talks regarding a potential multi-year contract, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Jones is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March after signing a one-year, $14-million deal last year. The Colts could use the franchise tag on the signal-caller if the two sides cannot agree on a long-term contract. Jones reportedly wants to remain in Indianapolis.
The 28-year-old was playing the best football of his career before suffering a torn Achilles in December that ended his season. He went 8-5 in 13 starts, racking up 3,265 yards and 24 total touchdowns. Jones was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league in 2025, ranking sixth in EPA/play among 30 qualifying passers.
"I think Daniel was a really good fit for this organization, and I think this organization and city were a really good fit for Daniel," Ballard said in January, according to team writer JJ Stankevitz.
Ballard added, "He's a pretty freaky talent in terms of athletic ability. I do feel confident he'll make it back. Will he be the version you saw right away? Maybe not, but he's still going to be really good. And I think as long as he goes along and plays, he'll be fine."
Indianapolis missed the playoffs after an 8-2 start, eventually forced to sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers to be their starting quarterback after injuries to Jones, Anthony Richardson, and Riley Leonard. He ultimately went 0-3 in three games before Leonard returned to start the final game of the year.
Leonard and Richardson are the only two quarterbacks Indianapolis has under contract for the 2026 campaign. Richardson finished the year on injured reserve due to an eye injury he suffered during pregame warmups in mid-October. He will enter his fourth season in the NFL after the Colts selected him fourth overall in 2023.
