Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles on December 7, 2025, but nevertheless he received a two-year, $88M contract that could be worth up to $100M to stay with the Indianapolis Colts this past offseason.
Lately, Jones has been playing it weak in Indianapolis’ 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans on Sunday that is Colts head coach Shane Steichen was asked after the loss if he was considering making a change at quarterback. While Jones was on track to start when the 2-4 Colts went 5-0 Minnesota Vikings on October 25, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN wrote for a piece published Sunday night that Indianapolis giving Jones a lucrative deal “is the biggest mistake any team has made this offseason.”
Daniel Jones was “terrible” in the loss to the Titans
“Jones and the Colts lost to the Titans on Sunday,” Graziano explained.That’s something no other team has done this season. Jones in this game? Well, he was terrible. He was 22-for-42 with a touchdown, two interceptions and a QBR of 20.4. It’s the fourth time in six games that his QBR has been under 35 (QBR is on a scale of 1 to 100, remember). It’s not his worst QBR of the season — he somehow put up 15.8 in a 30-13 Week 4 victory over the Commanders.”
Graziano noted that Jones is “statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the league” this fall. According to Pro Football Reference, Jones started Monday 27th in the NFL among qualified players with a 41.0 adjusted QBR and 29th with a 71.1 passer rating on the season. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Steichen admitted after Sunday’s loss that Jones and the offense “need to clean up the turnovers.”
Still, Steichen didn’t turn his back on Anthony Richardson Sr. or fellow backup Riley Leonard for the Minnesota game.
Daniel Jones is already costing people their jobs in Indianapolis
The perception has existed since last winter where the figurative seat belongs Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard will be hot on the 2026 season.
“Things seem to be getting worse in Indianapolis instead of better,” Graziano added. “And if Jones doesn’t pull off an incredible turnaround and get this team into the playoffs, a lot of seats are going to start feeling really hot out there.”
Graziano took notice, as the Colts confirmed Monday morning that Ballard had been relieved of his duties. That development might lead one to believe that Steichen will be shown the door if Indianapolis fails to qualify for the playoffs in January.