The outside support for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is waning by the week, as the veteran passer is having his worst season since wearing a New York Giants jersey. Jones has looked nothing like he did last year for the Colts, and he's fully healthy, which makes it more puzzling.
The Colts are all but done for the season, sitting in third place in the AFC South, firing executives, trading away franchise cornerstones, and struggling to produce a winning style of football on offense and defense. To make matters worse, more trades could be incoming as we approach the NFL trade deadline next week.
As for Jones, he will make another attempt not just to right the Colts' ship but his own as a quarterback this weekend; despite losing much support, he still has it where it matters most: his coaches, and more specifically, his offensive coordinator.
OC Jim Bob Cooter speaks for the rest of the Indianapolis Colts' coaching staff on Daniel Jones
If you look at where Jones ranks amongst his starting quarterback peers, it's nothing good. Jones ranks last or near last in almost every major category: passer rating (31st), yards per pass (31st), completion percentage (26th), touchdown pass percentage (30th), and total QBR (29th).
Jones is also tied for the NFL lead in turnovers (12), including nine interceptions and three lost fumbles. Jones was benched late in the Colts' 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, but has been confirmed as the Colts' starter against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.
Many in the NFL media space believe this season is Jones's last, as it will be for his head coach, Shane Steichen. Steichen has said a lot about Jones's place at quarterback over the last couple of weeks, but his offensive coordinator, Jim Bob Cooter, spoke most recently and made sure everyone knew he was behind Jones all the way.
"We're behind Daniel 100%. We gotta go play better around him. That'll help him play better. Different players on our offense have different tools that have the ability to go help us," Cooter said, according to The Athletic's James Boyd.
Speaking of what Steichen has said recently, he stated on Monday that Jones gives the Colts the best chance to win games. Of course, a head coach almost has to say that about his starting quarterback; it's part of the job. That said, he's not wrong; Jones is still the better option over Anthony Richardson Sr. or Riley Leonard, despite his struggles.
Cooter's comments speak significantly louder than Steichen's, though. Cooter came at the question with gusto and confidence in Jones, putting the onus on the others around Jones to be better.
That said, some of those "others" may not be around much longer, namely Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs. Downs has already submitted his trade request, and it may come true by next Tuesday. Taylor, on the other hand, hasn't requested out, but he's in the middle of trade rumours and could be gone soon, too.
In any case, Jones should feel confident knowing how his coaches, especially Cooter, feel about him right now. At least he knows they have his back. If that sparks something in Jones, let it come out against the Cowboys.
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