The Indianapolis Colts season went down when Daniel Jones sustained a catastrophic torn Achilles tendon.
But recently retained Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard still believes in the soon-to-be free agent quarterback and said he’ll do what it takes to retain the No. 6 pick from the 2018 NFL Draft.
Ballard expressed confidence in Jones and spoke his future in Indianapolis while addressing reporters Thursday.
Jones, who won a quarterback competition with 2023 No. 2 pick Anthony Richardson, went 8-5 with a 68% completion and 19-8 touchdown-to-interception rate for the Colts this year. He and the Colts started the year 7-1 before they lost eight of their final nine games, and seven in a row, and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
Jones sustained the season-ending injury in the first half of Indy’s 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 7. Jones is a pending free agent, since his one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts expires in March when the league calendar rolls.
Chris Ballard: The Colts Want Daniel Jones Back
Though he may miss some of the 2026 season, Jones performed at a level that will make him an attractive potential QB, especially for teams trying to avoid paying $50-plus-million to a starter.
But Ballard wants Jones back long term.
“I’m looking at him both near and long [term],” Ballard said of Jones according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “When you’re chasing the quarterback all the time, it makes it very hard. Your margin for error really shrinks down, and I feel very good about Daniel Jones and where he’s at [and] where he’s going.”
Ballard acknowledged the enhanced risk of re-signing Jones, especially given as a quarterback whose mobility is a key part of his game. Jones finished second behind only Jonathan Taylor on the Colts in both carries (45) and rushing yards (164).
“It’s a legitimate question, and you never know,” Ballard said. “[But] the history of guys coming back [from Achilles injuries] has been pretty good, and they’ve been older than Daniel.
“Daniel’s 28 years old. He’s a pretty freaky talent in terms of athletic ability. So I do feel confident he will make it back. Will he be the version you saw [in 2025] right away? Maybe not, but he’s still going to be really good.”
Chris Ballard Wants To Re-Sign Alec Pierce
The Colts offense hummed with Jones at the helm, and aside from Jones, Ballard has a decision to make regarding No. 2 wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Pierce, like Jones, is a pending free agent and is due a raise from his 2025 salary of about $6.6 million. Still, Ballard did not make it seem like re-signing Pierce was a difficult call.
“[Signing] Alec is a priority,” Ballard said according to Colts reporter Mike Chappell
Pierce led the Colts in receiving yards (1,003) and was second on the team in receiving touchdowns (6) despite ranking fourth in targets (84) and receptions (47). He did that by leading the NFL in yards per catch (21.3) in 2025.
The 6-3, 208-pound wideout was one of the few Colts pass catchers whose play stayed strong after Jones was replaced by Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers. He averaged about 63 yards per game over the final five games, closing the season with a four-catch, 132-yard, two-touchdown game before he was ejected in Week 18 against the Houston Texans.
Depending on what moves the Colts make to shed salary or restructure deals, they are currently slated to have about $33 million in cap space. Pierce may cost them in the $15-$18 million range on a three- or four-year deal.
Colts GM Offers Strong Statement On Soon-To-Be Free Agent Quarterback Daniel Jones