Daniel Jones: Everything you need to know

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Jones is progressing well in his recovery from the torn Achilles the quarterback suffered in December and added that the club is shooting for the QB to be ready to play by Week 1 of the upcoming season, James Palmer of The Athletic reports. Palmer notes that the Colts aren't putting a timeline on Jones' return to game action, but Ballard's comments indicate that the signal-caller could be ready from the outset of the campaign. Ballard said that Jones is currently throwing and moving and is in a "really good spot," echoing the viewpoint the QB shared on The Pat McAfee Show in mid-March. Indianapolis placed the transition tag on Jones in early March before signing him to a two-year deal less than two weeks later, making it clear that the organization views him as a central part of the team's future.

The Colts officially signed Jones (Achilles) to a two-year contract extension Thursday, Jones' contract not only provides an extra year of security with Indianapolis beyond the transition tag, that was initially extended to him, but it gives him a base salary of $50 million for 2026, per Brigid Kennedy of SI.com, $12.2 million above the tag amount even before including his $6 million in incentives. The 28-year-old said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show that he's fully recovered from the broken left fibula injury he dealt with in 2025 and that he's "making good progress with the rehab" from the right Achilles he suffered in December, as Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports. Jones said his goal is to "be back by Week 1 and ready to go," but it's far from a sure thing that he will be fully cleared for the start of the regular season, given the severe nature of his injury. Second-year quarterback Riley Leonard would be a candidate to start the year if Jones isn't ready to kick off there regular season, as Anthony Richardson (eye) is actively seeking a trade away from Indianapolis.

Jones (Achilles) and the Colts are finalizing terms on a two-year, $88 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Indianapolis assigned Jones the one-year, $37.83 transition tag March 3 and on Monday worked out a four-year, $114 million contract extension with WR Alec Pierce. Now, as the team had hoped all along, both offensive playmakers will remain in house on long-term deals. As a necessary move to clear up cap space for both contracts, the team agreed to terms Monday on a deal that sends wideout Michael Pittman to Pittsburgh. Jones is currently working his way back from a season-ending right Achilles tear suffered Week 14 of his breakout 2025 campaign, and while it's possible he could be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, the team may invest in backup depth beyond Riley Leonard, given that Anthony Richardson (eye) has requested a trade.