Daniel Jones has taken the NFL by storm powering the Colts’ 2-0 start, and one general manager revealed he saw it coming long before Indianapolis made its move.
“Back in January, as I was putting together potential quarterback plans, a number of people I trust thought he was the best, most intriguing option out there,” an NFL general manager told me Sunday night, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about another team.
Through his first two games in head coach Shane Steichen’s quarterback-friendly system, Jones is proving the GM’s, and Indianapolis’ instincts were worth at least the $14 million the Colts committed to him this past spring.
Jones has been sensational, guiding the Colts to victories over the overmatched and hapless Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos who arrived in Indianapolis with sights set on contending, only to leave with the heartbreak that accompanies a game-winning field goal as time expires.
The 28-year-old Jones carved up the Broncos‘ vaunted secondary for 316 yards and a touchdown while adding another rushing score.
Particularly against the Broncos, Jones has shrugged off his propensity for holding onto the football for an eternity and his turnover-prone first five seasons with the New York Giants.
In New York, Jones never quite seemed comfortable and was only borderline competent in Pat Shurmur’s, Jason Garrett’s, and eventually Brian Daboll’s schemes, while tossing 70 touchdown passes to 47 interceptions through his first five seasons.
Jones wouldn’t be the first former first round pick, after being chosen No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, to experience late-career success following a change of scenery. Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, and Sam Darnold have all guided their teams to consistent postseason success while playing their way into the fringes of the MVP conversations over the past several seasons.
The Colts threw their chips into the table this offseason to get a glimpse at Jones, and if he continues at this torrid pace, that bet could pay massive dividends both for the franchise and its once written-off quarterback.
There is still a marathon’s worth of football left to be played this season, but what was intriguing in January is suddenly undeniable in September.
Colts Already Making History
Jones hasn’t just propelled the Colts to their first 2-0 start to the season since 2009, they’re making some history along the way.
As Pro Football Talk points out, the unbeaten Colts are the first team in the history of the NFL to not punt during either of their first two games of a season.
What might be even more impressive about that anomaly and accomplishment is the fact that neither Jones nor the offense has turned the football over, either.
Jones won the starting job over fellow former first-round pick Anthony Richardson in one of the more fascinating and competitive training camp quarterback battles across the league, and is playing like he has no intention of relinquishing this role anytime soon.
NFL GM’s Eye-Opening Take on Colts’ Daniel Jones Gamble