The Indianapolis Colts are among the rare teams in the NFL facing a true quarterback competition. The team’s fourth overall pick in 2022, Anthony Richardson, is poised to be the starting quarterback over this year’s free agent acquisition, Daniel Jones.
Nonetheless, Fox Sports reporter Henry McKenna disagrees and believes it won’t happen that way.
“By including Jones on this list, I’ve integrated my forecast regarding his season with Indianapolis,” McKenna states. “I believe the Colts will start to worry about Anthony Richardson’s slow progress, mainly because the leadership group is under pressure.” Therefore, when Richardson faces difficulties, Indy will leverage those problems to validate the decision to shift the role to a more reliable option: Jones.
The list includes six quarterbacks who will enter significant contract discussions after the 2025 season. McKenna anticipates that following his acquisition of the team, Jones could redefine himself as a mid-tier quarterback commanding a $40 million contract.
“He is likely to begin 12 to 15 matches.” “During that period, he will probably post statistics that make the Colts contemplate him for QB1 on a short-term contract, possibly lasting two years,” McKenna posits. “Then what in the world are you paying him for?” How skilled would he need to be to earn Baker Mayfield’s income? Or funds for Geno Smith? I believe there’s a genuine possibility Jones might be seeking $40 million per year at this time next year. “Would the Colts actually offer him that amount?”
Why Daniel Jones Can’t Truly Be A $40 Million QB… Once More
The quarterback market resembles the wild west. If you demonstrate a consistent capacity to succeed, you will become a very rich individual. Daniel Jones has successfully persuaded one team to grant him a 46 million dollar contract, which must influence another team’s choice, correct?
In March 2023, Jones secured a four-year contract worth 160 million dollars with the New York Giants. The year following his signing, Jones recorded six interceptions in six games, throwing just two touchdowns, before suffering an ACL tear and sitting out the rest of the season.
Upon his return, Jones participated in only ten games before being released following a Week 10 defeat to the Carolina Panthers during the NFL’s Munich game. The contract extension became a catastrophic choice that resulted in the team not retaining NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, while committing $92 million in guarantees to a player who failed to perform.
What DJ Might Practically Obtain
I concur with McKenna that Daniel Jones will start in Week 18, and I wish I’m mistaken. However, if that occurs, Jones will be due for a pay increase. In this situation, I consider the New York Jets. The Jets have just inked a deal with Justin Fields. Field was a top ten draft selection who received several opportunities to begin for the team that selected him before being signed as a substitute and becoming a starter because of an injury. Sounds like something you know.
Fields is currently under a two-year, $40 million contract with an opportunity to demonstrate that he deserves a higher value. This is the precise blueprint I envision Jones adhering to. If he ultimately secures the position and has a solid season, I believe $20 million annually is a reasonable contract for a quarterback who has already let a franchise down once.