According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (subscription), Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is projected to be in line for a lucrative multi-year contract extension—to the tune of $100 million:
Daniel Jones, QB
Current team: Indianapolis Colts
2025 salary: $14 million
Age entering 2026 season: 29What he brings: Jones has elevated his level of play and poise under coach Shane Steichen in Indianapolis. Through 10 games, Jones’ 66.8 QBR ranks ninth in the league, and he is throwing with a much stronger sense of timing.
He fits in an offense that features a good run game, which allows him to operate as a facilitator. — Bowen
What we’re hearing: Jones has a chance to become the biggest earner in the free agency class. The Colts appear all-in on keeping Jones long term, and they have comps for former top-10 picks who thrived when quarterbacking a new team: Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who each earned three-year deals worth around $100 million. Jones would totally be justified asking for that … with interest. — Fowler
To his credit, Jones left the Minnesota Vikings this offseason in free agency to pursue a potential better opportunity to win an NFL QB1 job and bet on himself, signing a a 1-year deal for ‘greener’ pastures ahead.
He’s so far backed it up in Indianapolis, completing 223 of 319 pass attempts (69.9%) for a league-leading 2,659 total passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 7 interceptions during all 10 starts for the NFL’s best offense.
Having traded their next two first round picks recently for former 2x NFL All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, the Colts appears to be convinced that Jones is their answer at starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. If the money is there, it’s hard to envision why the 28-year-old quarterback would want to be separated anytime soon from head coach Shane Steichen—given the prolific success the pairing has had so far this season.
For what it’s worth, Spotrac projects Jones to earn 4-years, $183.7 million on his next contract, whether it’s with the Colts or elsewhere. However, all current signs point to the Colts committing to Jones for the long-term future.
