Daniel Jones has emerged as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. Will he lead the team to the playoffs?
This offseason, the Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract. He was brought in to compete with fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson. Most fans and pundits believed Richardson would win the starting job. Yet, Jones surprised a lot of people and landed the QB1 role.
Jones entered the NFL in 2019, having been drafted sixth overall by the New York Giants. The two-time ACC Quarterback of the Week honoree has had a disappointing career thus far. However, he could put together a breakout year in his first season in Indianapolis.
Will Daniel Jones Lead the Indianapolis Colts to the Playoffs?
He Has Been There Before
The Colts constantly made the playoffs during the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras. But they haven’t reached the postseason since 2020, when Philip Rivers was the quarterback. To Colts fans, that seems like a billion years ago.
While Jones hasn’t had an amazing career, he has taken a team to the playoffs before. He took the Giants to the postseason back in 2022. That was the best season of his career. Jones completed 67.2 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jones played great in the NFC Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings. He passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team with 78 rushing yards. His Giants beat Minnesota 31-24 on the road.
Unfortunately, though, New York lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-7 in the Divisional Round. Jones had just 135 passing yards and zero touchdowns in that contest. He was also sacked five times by the Eagles, who went on to reach the Super Bowl.
Jones has been to the playoffs once. Perhaps he can do it again this season with the Colts.
Indy Has Offensive and Defensive Playmakers
The Colts aren’t expected to make the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Indianapolis has a solid offensive line, led by perennial Pro-Bowler Quenton Nelson.
Plus, Jones can hand the ball off to star Jonathan Taylor. The 2021 rushing champ is one of the league’s best running backs when he isn’t injured. Taylor, of course, must stay healthy for the team to have a chance.
Jones is surrounded by a slew of talented pass-catchers, which will make his life easier. The Colts’ wide receiver room includes Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. Each of those three recorded over 800 receiving yards in 2024. Fellow receiver Adonai Mitchell had a disappointing rookie year, but he could turn things around in 2025.
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren could be the real deal. The former Penn State star, who racked up 1,233 receiving yards last season, is primed to be one of Jones’ top targets this year.
Indy’s defense was terrible last season. However, new coordinator Lou Anarumo could help improve the unit. Anarumo’s defense helped guide the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance a few years ago.
This offseason, the Colts added defenders like Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, and J.T. Tuimoloa. They’ll team with holdovers like DeForest Buckner, Kenny Moore II, and Zaire Franklin to possibly give the Colts a much-improved defense this year.
Yes, this could be another not-so-great season for the Colts. Don’t rule out Daniel Jones and Co. making the playoffs, though.
Main Photo: [Mitch Stringer] – USA Today Sports
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