After signing a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts, 28-year-old quarterback Daniel Jones has led Indianapolis to an 8-4 start.
Currently playing through a fractured fibula, Jones is easily having the best season of his seven-year career, which could make him an attractive option for a number of teams when free agency rolls around next year.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports thinks it would be premature to close the door on a reunion between Jones and the Minnesota Vikings. Benjamin’s ultimate prediction is that Indianapolis will re-sign Jones using the franchise tag, but he still named the Vikings as a potential destination.
“The Colts signaled their intentions to build around this rejuvenated version of Jones when they spent big on other spots at the trade deadline, but how Jones finishes could determine his long-term fate, not so dissimilar to Sam Darnold of last year; despite cruising for much of his lone season with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold’s flat finish all but bought his exit,” Benjamin wrote on December 3.
Franchise Tag Is Becoming More Likely Option for Colts & Jones Next Year
Through 12 games, Jones has thrown for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 67.9% of his passes with a 101.3 passer rating. For a franchise that has cycled through quarterbacks since Andrew Luck retired, “Indiana” Jones has been a nice stabilizing presence.
But in recent weeks, issues have emerged — like a lack of mobility, for example — which could be contributed to his injured leg. It could also be old, bad habits reemerging.
Jones is only in Indianapolis because his massive four-year, $160 million extension with the New York Giants — including $82 million fully guaranteed — went sideways so quickly that the team restructured the deal for cap relief and ultimately moved on. His Giants tenure was marked by injuries and inconsistency, and that’s why he’s on a prove-it deal now.
He hasn’t quite proven it, though, and some analysts, including James Boyd of The Athletic, have floated the franchise tag as the best option for Indianapolis. Per Over The Cap, the 2026 QB franchise tag is at just over $46 million. It’s a massive one-year hit, but it would avoid tying guaranteed money to Jones for multiple seasons.
Why Some Aren’t Closing the Door on a Daniel Jones – Minnesota Vikings Reunion in 2026
GettyCould Colts QB Daniel Jones reunite with the Minnesota Vikings in 2026?
Jones will be among the top free agents of the 2026 class unless Indy re-signs him. If he plays well down the stretch, he could increase his market value in a big way.
The Vikings keep getting mentioned as a suitor for Jones, partly because he spent some of the 2024 season on Minnesota’s roster, and partly because there are still more than a few doubts about 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, who has struggled with turnovers this year, and he hasn’t developed the way the Vikings hoped he would.
Thus, much will depend on how Jones finishes the season. If he can return to the form he had earlier in the season, Indy won’t let him leave. He’s likely not leaving, anyway. But if the Colts lowball Jones in contract talks, or they balk at the very high franchise tag number, the Vikings could absolutely swoop in.
NFC Squad Linked to Colts QB Daniel Jones Amid Growing Uncertainty in Indy