Daniel Jones' contract makes perfect sense for both parties

The Indianapolis Colts and Daniel Jones seemed to fit each other well in 2025. That is, until injuries derailed the season and left plenty of speculation about both the organization and quarterback's future as he prepared to enter free agency.

In the end, they decided to reunite for the next two seasons. Jones and Indianapolis reportedly agreed to a two-year and $88 million contract. With incentives, the deal could be worth up to $100 million. 

The money for Daniel Jones is eye-popping

Finding a franchise quarterback is incredibly difficult. It's also nearly impossible to win without one. That leads to plenty of teams overpaying when they think they've found their solution. Think Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins.

So, on the one hand, it shouldn't be a shock to see a $44 million deal for Daniel Jones. On the other hand, there's the context around Jones' career. 

A former first-round pick, Jones had turnover issues and health issues that led to an inconsistent tenure with the New York Giants. After a brief stop with the Minnesota Vikings, he landed in Indianapolis on a one-year deal, where he won the starting job and succeeded early before suffering an Achilles injury.

In 2025, Jones played in 13 games, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also rushed for 164 yards and another five touchdowns. So, before the Achilles injury, a long-term extension seemed like the obvious plan between the two sides.

The problem is you can't ignore an Achilles injury. That, combined with his early career struggles, makes it seem like a massive amount of money to be spending on Jones when the Colts have several needs to fill.

The contract ends up being a win-win

There is some undeniable risk to the contract for Indianapolis. After all, Jones could struggle returning from injury, or even if he returns fully healthy, it's possible his on-field play regresses. 

However, that risk is mitigated by the length of the contract. Two years is not an overly long amount of time to be committed to a quarterback. On top of that, given the perception that this is a weak NFL Draft class for quarterbacks, it also buys the Colts time before they'd need to select a new franchise quarterback. 

If things do go sideways with Jones, it's easier to cut ties and draft a quarterback down the line.

Getting the second year on this contract is important for Jones, too. That buys him time to get healthy. On a one-year deal, he'd need to prove himself right away, potentially playing injured or at a diminished capacity. The second season gives him time to get where he needs to be before he must seek another contract.

Both sides are obviously hoping things work out. In an ideal world, Jones gets back to where he was pre-injury, and the Colts are competing for the AFC South again. If that's the case, then Jones will likely get a long-term extension.