Daniel Jones was known to be facing a Vikings-or-Colts decision and he has made his choice. The former Giants starter is heading to Indianapolis on a one-year deal, as first reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
Earlier today, ESPN’s Stephen Holder confirmed Jones was down to either remaining in Minnesota or heading to Indianapolis. Both teams were waiting to see which direction he went, with the call deciding how each would operate under center for the rest of the offseason. After taking Monday to weigh his options, Jones has made a commitment.
This pact will be worth $14MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. That figure represents the base value of the contract, as Pelissero notes Jones can earn up to $17.7MM. The Colts have their veteran Anthony Richardson competition in place for 2025. $13.15MM is fully guaranteed, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
The Vikings made a push to retain Jones, Rapoport reports. To little surprise, though, the chance to earn a starting gig represented a key factor for the former No. 6 pick. Richardson has not developed as planned early in his career, and Colts GM Chris Ballard made it clear his inconsistent play and injury troubles would lead to a veteran addition capable of handling QB1 duties. At a minimum, Jones will able to provide the team with an experienced backup, though Pelissero confirms an open competition is on tap.
The 27-year-old raised eyebrows when he received a four-year, $160MM Giants deal in 2023. That pact – authorized by a Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime which did not draft him – did not pan out as planned, and midway through the past campaign his benching was followed up by his release. Minnesota added him on the practice squad with the potential to remain in place for 2025.
That especially remained true in the wake of Sam Darnold turning his Pro Bowl Vikings season into a lucrative Seahawks agreement. With Jones now out of the fold, though, Minnesota is set to rely on 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy as their starter moving forward. The 22-year-old missed his entire rookie campaign due to a meniscus tear, but he will be healthy in time for the 2025 season. A modest free agent signing can be expected to operate as his backup.
Richardson earned the starting gig right away as a rookie, but he was limited to only four games that year due to a shoulder injury. The 2023 No. 4 pick managed 11 appearances this past season, but he was temporarily benched in favor of Joe Flacco as the Colts offense underperformed. Richardson, 22, posted a completion percentage of just 47.7% and a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio last season. A notable step forward will be required in 2025, and the first step in his efforts in that regard will involve winning an offseason competition with Jones.
I thought they said serious competition for Richardson.
I thought they said cereal competition for Richardson. They were super cereal about it too.
Norman Bates has methods for dealing with others off the field.
Still thinking Vikings will lean towards a Mason Rudolph-type to start only a handful of games over JJ, instead of committing to a full season under AR
There is that Favre prophecy tho…
My money is on Mariota, Winston or Flacco
Nah, Minshew is going full skol.
Doubt it
Biggest waste of money ever. Some teams could fix him, but the colts?? No, certainly not.
Shane Steichen: “When is that truck load of duct tape I ordered arriving” :)
Minshew came thisclose to taking them to the playoffs 2 seasons ago
For all the criticism, Jones is racking up the $$$cash and probably laughing at us all……
Interesting for Vikings. Who’s going to be the veteran presence if McCarthy isn’t ready to go?
Aaron Rodgers step on down!
Wentz, Rudolph, Brissett
Don’t have to get too creative when only looking for a starter for 1-4 weeks
Obviously they didn’t like that price tag for Jones.
Maybe Jameis Winston or Mariota
Makes sense. AR needs a fire under his butt especially after 2024 that was a lackluster ass production
Please Lord Sweet Baby Jesus please let the Steelers sign A Rogers. Not the Vikings. I’d be so happy. My knee kind of hurts and I may be bad but that tree hugging bag of human conspiracy theory won’t help anyway. Amen.
What happened to the “Boy Wonder”, one Tony “Bounce Pass” Richardson? He was the self designated greatest QB ever and now he’s dirt? I predict Daniel Jones will be the MAN in Indianapolis after training camp, while Big Tony might not be able to find the field with a map. Hopefully Daniel can take him by the hand and show him there is more than one receiver on the field and he can’t stare at said ball catcher all the way across the field. Also please explain to him this isn’t rugby, he has to actually throw the ball all the way to the receiver, bounce passes don’t count like they do in basketball.
Five years down the road.
“Hey, I saw former Gator and Colt Super Stinker Anthony Richardson today” I told my friend. “What did you say to him,”asked my friend. “Here’s 10 bucks for the pizza and three bucks for you,” as Tony hurries back to his Domino’s delivery vehicle.
Richardson is the perfect example of a mediocre player getting overhyped during the combine.
It was pretty obvious he was going to be a bust in the NFL.
I watched him fail with the Gators (son is an alumni) and we laughed when he declared for the draft. He doesn’t know the basics like checking for your second and third receivers, actually throwing the ball all the way to the receiver, and not running at the first hint of a rush. He might be a great running back or wide out, but not a QB. Maybe he’ll learn from Jones, but he’s also pretty arrogant ( in real life).
I remember when he was going through the draft process people here were hyping him up like crazy. He was a mediocre college QB not even top 5 in the SEC when he left and his teams never won. People acted like he was Jalen Hurts or Cam Newton because he could run and throw a ball 60 yards from his knees. If simply throwing far makes you a good QB Rex Grossman belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Colts welcome to Danny checkdown, or Danny 1st read only Jones.
Drafted by the Giants cos his college coach used to be Eli Manning’s offensive coordinator. Now signs for Indy where Peyton Manning began his pro career. Omaha!
Jones would have been better off staying with KOC for the year, even if it meant less money. It would have given him a better chance to improve his skills to the point of getting a multi-year starting deal somewhere.
But in Indy, I think he’s another one and done failure.
Don’t sleep on D Jones…
Just saying…
Richardson better bring his A game when preseason starts…
The fact that Jones is considered competition for Richardson says a LOT about Richardson…
Are the Colts collecting second rate quarterbacks? Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, these are names you can count on to make stupid throws and lose games. How on earth is Tyrod Taylor not a starter in this league when these numbskulls still get a chance?
Indiana Jones!!