As the Indianapolis Colts begin to embark on the 2026 NFL season, their priority will be to establish the roster for the upcoming year. The Colts have several notable key free agents, but arguably the most important is their quarterback, who ended the season on injured reserve.
Daniel Jones is coming off one of his best seasons, one in which he set career highs in completion percentage (68%), yards per completion (8.1), passer rating (100.2), and QBR (63.3). His breakout year projected him to land a massive contract extension with Indy in the offseason, especially once the Colts presumably doubled down on him by trading their next two first-round picks away for Sauce Gardner. However, as Colts fans are aware, Jones’s revelation season would be stalled by a fractured fibula, and then completely halted by a torn Achilles.
Now what once seemed as a forgone conclusion is surrounded by slight uncertainty; however, the Colts remain confident that Jones’ future is still in Indy.
Colts Remain Confident Jones Will Be Ready for 2026
While the injury has slightly muddied the waters around Jones’ future in Indianapolis, the quarterback continues to progress well through his rehab and has received advice on how to handle recovery properly.
Stephen Holder published an article stating that Aaron Rodgers has been a person that Jones has been in contact with throughout his recovery. The former four-time MVP notoriously ruptured his Achilles tendon when he was with the New York Jets.
While recovering from an Achilles is no easy feat, Jones remains laser-focused on trying to come back at full strength.
GettyIndianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns across 13 games in 2025.
At the end of the year, media availability, Jones opened with, “For me, it’s about getting this Achilles right, and attacking the rehab. Making sure I’m doing everything I need to do to come back at full speed.” He proceeded to state that he expects to be ready by training camp.
When reporters followed up by asking about his thoughts on returning to the Colts, Jones answered candidly. “I’d love to be back here. I’ve enjoyed being here, working with the coaching staff here, with the players. I think it’s a great organization,” Jones said.
He also acknowledged that there is a business side to address, but he sounds hopeful that his representation and the team will figure it out.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard echoed similar sentiments about Jones’ availability and confidence in his return to the team next season on 93.5/107.5 The Fan.
When asked if the Colts view Jones as the long-term answer of the future, Ballard replied, “I’m looking at him both, near and long. And I think that helps us,” Ballard stated. “I mean, I’ve been very stated about like when you’re chasing the quarterback all the time, it makes it very hard. Like your margin for error really shrinks down. And I feel very good about Daniel Jones and where he’s at, where he’s going. Yes, he’s got the Achilles, but I think Daniel Jones has got a really bright future here in Indianapolis. And look, there is some comfort knowing that, ‘Okay, we know we’ve got a guy that’s proven, that’s done it, and done some really good things.’ So, that does give you some confidence.”
Ballard’s comments center around the difficulty he’s had to find a quality fit for the team at the most important position. With mutual interest expressed, the team now has to look at their options for what a deal could look like.
Colts Have Two Main Options on Jones’ Extension
The Colts’ options are to either sign Jones to a long-term contract or potentially franchise tag him. The franchise option would put Jones on a one-year prove-it deal that would cost the team around $46 million for 2026. Market value has a long-term extension estimated at around $44.6 million across four years, if Indy decides to go that direction.
Either way, it is unlikely that the Colts allow Jones to hit the open market and raise his price tag any higher. Expect the team to address his signing quickly as they proceed to address other issues ahead of the official free agency period in March and the draft in April.
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