The Daniel Jones trade speculation appears to be over. According to a report, the Indianapolis Colts have informed their quarterback that he will not be moved before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, ending weeks of uncertainty about his immediate future.
The Colts, who sit at 2-7, had drawn interest from multiple teams as the deadline approached, the report said. But rather than sell off another veteran, Indianapolis has chosen to keep Jones in place for the remainder of the season.
A Messy Season in Indianapolis
It has been a turbulent year for the Colts, and the turbulence has touched nearly every level of the organization. General manager Chris Ballard was fired earlier in the season. The roster has already seen significant turnover, with offensive lineman Quenton Nelson sent to Seattle and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner shipped to San Francisco.
Jones has been part of that difficult stretch. His individual numbers rank near the bottom of the league among qualified passers. He is averaging 5.7 yards per attempt, which ranks 29th out of 30 quarterbacks. His touchdown-to-interception ratio of 6-to-10 is also 29th. He has completed 60.3 percent of his throws, 26th in the league, and his 9.5 yards per completion rank 29th.
The supporting cast has not made things easier. Wide receiver Alec Pierce, who signed an extension during the offseason, has missed nearly the entire season after aggravating an ankle injury that required surgery. Keenan Allen currently leads the team in receptions with 40, while Josh Downs leads the group in receiving yards with 354.
Why Keep Jones?
Jones signed a two-year, $88 million extension with Indianapolis during the offseason. The structure of that deal gives the Colts a potential out after this season, though releasing him would leave $35.2 million in dead cap space. With no first-round pick in the upcoming draft — a consequence of last season’s Sauce Gardner trade — the Colts may see Jones as a short-term bridge rather than a long-term answer.
For now, he remains a team captain and a fixture in the locker room. Any trade would have required the Colts to absorb significant financial and competitive risk, and the reported decision suggests the front office preferred stability over a late-round pick or a salary dump.
What Else Is Moving?
While Jones stays put, the Colts remain a team to watch on the trade market. Star running back Jonathan Taylor appeared to offer a farewell of sorts after Sunday’s 27-23 loss to the Cowboys. Wide receiver Josh Downs and defensive tackle Grover Stewart have also been mentioned as potential candidates to move before the deadline.
The Minnesota Vikings had been loosely linked to Jones, who spent time on their practice squad two seasons ago. Minnesota has had its own offensive struggles, with Kyler Murray dealing with a hamstring injury and Carson Wentz starting in his place. It is unclear which teams actually contacted Indianapolis about Jones, but the answer no longer matters for the quarterback himself.
For Jones, the immediate future is settled. He will finish the season in Indianapolis, playing for a team that has already undergone major changes and may face more in the months ahead.
