Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday that Daniel Jones will be their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, capping a competition that stretched through training camp. The 28-year-old former New York Giants starter beat out Anthony Richardson, who entered camp fighting for the job in Year 3 of his NFL career.
Jones’ Career Reset
Jones, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Duke, has had an up-and-down career. He owns 14,582 passing yards and 70 touchdowns through six seasons, highlighted by his 2022 campaign when he threw for a career-high 3,205 yards and led the Giants to the playoffs. That performance earned him a four-year, $160 million contract — but his time in New York unraveled quickly.
In 2023, coaches benched Jones midseason in favor of Tommy DeVito, leading him to request his release. He finished the year with the Minnesota Vikings, who signed him to their practice squad before promoting him to the active roster ahead of the playoffs. Although he never played a snap in purple, his short stint in Minnesota could end up paying off for the franchise.
Why the Vikings Care
Minnesota is projected to receive a compensatory pick for losing Jones in free agency. That pick will improve if Jones meets certain playing-time thresholds with the Colts this season. His being named the starter is a strong step toward boosting the Vikings’ 2026 draft capital — potentially turning a fifth-rounder into a fourth-round selection.
The move also underscored the reputation Kevin O’Connell has built in Minnesota. Jones reportedly valued learning under O’Connell and briefly considered re-signing as a backup before opting for a one-year, $14 million deal with Indianapolis, where he saw a clearer path to a starting job. With rookie J.J. McCarthy expected to start in Minnesota, the split was mutual.
Richardson’s Development Hits Pause
The decision also marks a turning point for Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. After being handed the starting job as a rookie, he entered 2025 in his first true competition for the role. But injuries have stalled his progress — shoulder surgery ended his first season after just four games, and foot, back, and hip issues limited him to 11 appearances in Year 2.
When healthy, Richardson has showcased flashes of his upside, rushing for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons. Still, his accuracy (50.5% career completion rate) remains an issue. Head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday the Colts don’t plan to have Jones on a short leash: “He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
What It Means Going Forward
For Indianapolis, the move signals a win-now mindset as the Colts try to keep pace in an AFC South led by the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. According to FanDuel, they enter the season with the third-best odds to win the division (3-1) and the ninth-best odds (+172) to make the playoffs among AFC teams.
For Minnesota, the benefit is indirect but tangible. Signing Jones late last year turned into a savvy roster-building move by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. If Jones sticks as the Colts’ starter, the Vikings could cash in with a valuable Day 3 pick in 2026.
It’s a rare case where both teams can call the decision a win — Jones gets another chance to start, the Colts find stability under center, and the Vikings gain draft leverage for the future.
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