Daniel Jones signs with Indianapolis Colts, turns down Vikings in free agency

Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts instead of returning to the Vikings.

The deal is valued at $14 million, with the potential to earn up to $17.7 million through playing-time incentives.

What is the deal?

The deal includes $13.15 million in guaranteed money.


The deal Daniel Jones received from the Indianapolis Colts is considered a strong one, especially given his less-than-impressive track record as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants. Over six seasons, Jones posted a 24-44-1 record, and his performance was particularly poor after signing a lucrative four-year, $160 million extension, finishing with just a 3-13 record in his 16 starts.

Despite these struggles, the contract he signed with the Colts reflects confidence in his potential, perhaps with the hope that a fresh start will help him perform at a higher level than he did in New York.

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Who will Jones compete with?

Jones, selected by the New York Giants as the No 6 overall pick in the 2019 draft, will now have the opportunity to compete with Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. Richardson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has a 8-7 record as a starter over his two seasons in the league. However, he has struggled with inconsistency and injuries, which have hindered his development and performance.

In February, Colts head coach Shane Steichen emphasized that consistency is the key area where he wants to see quarterback Anthony Richardson improve.
"We've had discussions about this," Steichen said, noting that Richardson has played 15 games, including 11 last season, where he showed some promising performances. However, Steichen made it clear that the focus moving forward is on achieving greater consistency.

Daniel Jones’ career journey

After leaving the New York Giants, Daniel Jones was briefly on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. However, it seems the Vikings are set to star JJ McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold, who helped lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record last season, has agreed to a reported $110 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

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Jones had been waived by the Giants in November at his own request after being benched. He quickly signed with the Vikings as a free agent for the remainder of the season but didn't see any game action. Over the course of his career, Jones has accumulated 14,582 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in 70 games (69 starts). He has also rushed for 2,179 yards and 15 touchdowns.

FAQs:

Who is Daniel Jones?
Daniel Jones is a professional football quarterback who plays in the NFL. He served as the Giants' starting quarterback for several seasons, but his tenure was marked by both flashes of potential and struggles with consistency.

Who are the Indianapolis Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are a part of the National Football League (NFL) and compete in the league's American Football Conference (AFC) South division.