Latest NFL Rumors on Daniel Jones' Future With Colts, Potential FA Landing Spots

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones could potentially be wearing purple and gold by the time he returns from his season-ending Achilles injury.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones wrote Saturday that "multiple sources have pointed to Minnesota as being a potential landing spot" for Jones following the expiration of his one-year deal with the Colts.

"Unless the Colts are willing to issue the franchise tag, I don't see it as a slam dunk that Jones is back with Indy next year," Jones wrote.

It would cost more than $40 million for the Colts to tag Jones, whose recent injury and surgical repair puts his availability for the start of the 2026 season in question.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported tagging Jones is "not totally off the table" for the Colts.

Fowler projected that Jones will receive $39 to $46 million per year on his next contract in free agency, although he noted the quarterback could be seeking a multi-year deal given his injury status.

Jones spent the back half of the 2024 season with the Vikings as Sam Darnold's backup following his release by the New York Giants.

Jones said in an Instagram post shared after his season-ending surgery that it "has been an honor to wear the horseshoe and play for Colts fans."

"I'll miss lining up with my guys, but I'll be riding with them every step of the way," Jones wrote.

Jones returned to the Colts facility and resumed participation in quarterback meetings Friday, per Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.

Jones' Achilles tear, combined with a knee injury suffered by backup quarterback Riley Leonard, left the Colts scrambling for answers to the point of bringing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement.

The only quarterbacks currently on the Indianapolis roster past this season are Leonard and Anthony Richardson, who remains on IR with a facial fracture.

ESPN's Stephen Holder recently reported the Colts "had been having internal discussions about a contract extension for Jones long before they became the hottest offense in the NFL."

It is difficult to predict what price Jones will fetch on his next contract, especially when comparing his performance during the Colts' 7-1 start to the season to his relative decline during the 1-4 stretch leading up to his injury.

Jones completed 71.2 percent of his passes while throwing for 13 touchdowns with three picks through that first eight-game stretch.

Over the following five contests, Jones saw his passing percentage (62.4 percent) and touchdown to interception ratio (6-to-5) drop

Teams could be especially cautious given that the Giants, who were the last team to reward Jones for a strong season with a massive contract, later took on almost $70 million in dead money over two seasons in order to get out of the deal.

The Vikings could be looking for a veteran option under center next season after rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy's struggles with consistency in his first campaign as the team's go-to starter.

How the Colts feel about Jones' recovery, as well as how comfortable the team feels with Richardson going forward, could ultimately determine whether the quarterback is available for the Vikings to pursue next spring.