Colts reportedly 'appear all-in' on making this Daniel Jones decision

Quarterback Daniel Jones has been a revelation for the Indianapolis Colts while helping the club claim an 8-2 record ahead of its Week 11 bye. 

Jones agreed to a one-year "prove it" contract with the Colts this past offseason and, thus, could hit the open market again when the new league year opens in March 2026. However, it seems NFL insiders are convinced the Colts will retain Jones' rights for at least another campaign. 

Have Colts made Daniel Jones decision for 2026?

"Jones has a chance to become the biggest earner in the free agency class," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote about the upcoming NFL offseason on Wednesday. "The Colts appear all-in on keeping Jones long term, and they have comps for former top-10 picks who thrived when quarterbacking a new team -- Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who each earned three-year deals worth around $100M. Jones would totally be justified asking for that...with interest."

Pro Football Reference stats show that Jones ended Week 10 ranked ninth in the NFL among qualified players with a 66.8 adjusted QBR, ninth with a 101.6 passer rating, third with 265.9 passing yards per game and first with 2,659 total passing yards for the season. According to StatMuse, only six quarterbacks tallied more combined passing and rushing touchdowns over the campaign's first 10 weeks than Jones (20). 

"He is throwing with a much stronger sense of timing," ESPN's Matt Bowen added about Jones. "He fits in an offense that features a good run game, which allows him to operate as a facilitator."

Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor currently leads the NFL with 1,139 rushing yards, 189 carries and 15 rushing touchdowns. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Taylor as the betting favorite at -350 odds to claim the Offensive Player of the Year Award for the season. 

Why Colts may not give Daniel Jones a long-term contract extension

"I think the Colts will extend him if he keeps playing well," ESPN's Dan Graziano shared about Jones for a different piece. "If he doesn't, then, well...he wouldn't be as interesting a free agent."

Specifically, Jones was responsible for six fumbles (three lost) and four interceptions over the Colts' final two games before their bye. That doesn't necessarily mean he's reverting to what he was when he went 3-13 in his last 16 starts with the New York Giants, but those are concerning numbers. 

For what it's worth, Graziano reminded readers that "many of the top potential free agents never hit the market because of extensions or franchise tags." The Giants could've saved themselves some headaches had they used the franchise tag on Jones in 2023 before they handed him a four-year contract that could have been worth up to $160M.