Why Colts are sticking with Daniel Jones amid trade-deadline rumors, ongoing fire sale

Shortly after the Indianapolis Colts suffered a 42-7 blowout loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars that dropped the Colts to 2-6 on Sunday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen declined to confirm that Daniel Jones would remain the team's starting quarterback over 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson Sr. and 2025 sixth-round draft pick Riley Leonard.

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Steichen explained why Jones will start when the Colts host the 3-5 Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 8. 

Daniel Jones the best quarterback on the Colts' roster "right now"

Per Stephen Holder of ESPN, Steichen said on Monday afternoon that he's sticking with Jones because the coach feels that the 29-year-old signal-caller "gives us the best chance to win right now." 

It's unclear how long "right now" could last in this scenario, as Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard following the club's Week 6 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis then acquired future draft assets for eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. On Sunday afternoon, the Colts looked like a checked-out team against the Jaguars. 

After Steichen announced the latest Jones news, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as six-point home underdogs against the Cowboys. It's fair to wonder whether Irsay-Gordon could fire Steichen and instruct an interim coach to bench Jones if Dallas blows Indianapolis out at Lucas Oil Stadium this coming weekend. 

Will Daniel Jones still be with the Colts through the trade deadline?

A Monday report suggested that running back Jonathan Taylor, cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, and wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen are among other Colts players who could be traded over the next week. Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and Michael Silver of The Athletic are among those who have said that the Minnesota Vikings could view Jones as an upgrade over Minnesota QB1 Kyler Murray.

Jones was part of the Vikings' organization from late November 2024 through the end of that season, but he never took a meaningful in-game snap for the club. Meanwhile, the Colts can afford to move on from Jones after this season if he isn't traded before next week's deadline.