How Colts GM Chris Ballard underestimated Daniel Jones before injury setback

Before Chris Ballard became the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, he served as the Kansas City Chiefs' director of football operations.

While with Kansas City, Ballard got to watch a quarterback who earned three Pro Bowl nods during his career and who reminds the executive of current Indianapolis starter Daniel Jones.

Chris Ballard: Daniel Jones can be "excellent" at times

"We had Alex Smith in Kansas City, and they’re a lot alike," Ballard said while speaking about Jones during a recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "How they prepare for the game, how steady they are day-to-day — there’s a lot of similarities. And then I probably underestimated [Jones'] accuracy coming in the door. This dude is accurate, man. And when he’s in rhythm and really in a groove, he is excellent."

According to Pro Football Reference, Jones ended the 2025 regular season tied for fifth in the NFL among qualified players with a 68 percent completion percentage. He was also tied for eighth with a 63.0 adjusted QBR. 

More importantly, as it pertains to the Colts' goals, Jones went 8-2 across his first 10 starts of this past campaign before he was slowed by a reported fibula injury in Week 12. He then suffered a torn Achilles on Dec. 7, 2025. 

Jones is aiming to return to the lineup for Indianapolis' regular-season opener this coming September, but it is far too early to know if he will be cleared to play in Week 1. 

Chris Ballard has no regrets about holding onto Daniel Jones

"Those are the things that — we had scouted Daniel, but until you live with somebody, you don’t know them," Ballard continued. "So, living with him every day, seeing his consistency, seeing him not get too high or too low, all those things bode well for the Colts and for his future. He’s really good, Rich. This guy’s talented and good." 

The Colts and Jones agreed to a two-year, $88M contract that could be worth up to $100M this offseason. Ballard seemingly has no regrets about that deal coming off the 2026 draft.