The Indianapolis Colts have informed quarterback Daniel Jones that he will not be traded ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, according to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.
The decision comes despite reported interest
from multiple teams, with Indianapolis fielding calls about its starting quarterback over the past several days. According to Pelissero, the Colts were willing to listen to inquiries but never seriously intended to move Jones, even as the organization began trading established veterans in preparation for a potential rebuild.
Jones, 29, signed a two-year, $88 million extension with Indianapolis during the offseason following his impressive 2025 campaign. However, his performance has declined considerably this season, with the Colts falling to 2-6 and their offense struggling to find consistency. The organization has already traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, leading to speculation that Jones could be another player moved before the November 10 deadline.
There had been particular interest surrounding a potential reunion with the Minnesota Vikings, where Jones briefly spent time during the 2024 season. Minnesota has dealt with quarterback injuries and could benefit from an experienced veteran with previous ties to the organization, although Indianapolis has now made it clear that a deal is not expected.
Interestingly, keeping Jones for the remainder of 2026 does not necessarily mean he will be part of the franchise’s long-term plans. According to Pelissero, Jones is scheduled to earn $38 million in 2027, but only approximately $10.5 million is currently guaranteed for injury, with additional guarantees becoming relevant in March. That structure could give whoever takes over as general manager considerable flexibility when evaluating the quarterback position during the offseason.
For now, however, Indianapolis appears committed to keeping Jones under center despite its increasingly uncertain future. With the Colts potentially entering another rebuilding period and still searching for long-term stability at quarterback, his role beyond this season remains far from guaranteed.
