Quarterback Daniel Jones was taken in the first round of the 2019 draft by the New York Giants, and he was good as a rookie. In the years that followed, he wasn't. The issue wasn't that he tossed far too many interceptions, but instead led an ineffective and non-explosive offense. That has changed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
Through the first eight games of this season, the QB had thrown just three interceptions and was a huge reason Indy was leading the NFL in points scored. But the last two weeks have not been pretty. Jones still does great things, but his ball control has been horrendous, too.
In Week 9, he threw three interceptions, though a couple were batted at the line of scrimmage. Even worse, he has fumbled five times. He was fortunate that his first one against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 went out of bounds as the Falcons were in a position to recover.
Indianapolis Colts have to be asking themselves which version of Daniel Jones is real
In the third quarter, Jones dropped back to pass, had the ball knocked out of his hand by a pass-rusher, but the Colts recovered. On the same drive, the ball got hit again, but Indy wasn't so lucky this time. Atlanta recovered.
While a quarterback is unlucky when the ball gets hit from their hand, a QB also has to understand when a rusher is getting close enough to do so. One or maybe two fumbles in that situation is one thing, but more than that, and the quarterback has a feel issue. Opposing defenses appear to have learned that Jones has that problem and are aiming for the ball.
Plus, Jones' turnover problem has come against two teams that have struggled quite a bit defensively this season. The rest of the schedule will see Indianapolis facing far tougher defenses. The Seattle Seahawks can bring pressure, and the Houston Texans are very sound. And that is just two teams. What happens if Indy makes the playoffs?
Daniel Jones is clearly capable of excellence in head coach Shane Steichen's system. He's proven that. What he has yet to show, as New York Giants fans know, is the ability to elevate his offense in important games and not have a streak of careless turnovers.
Indianapolis Colts fans have to ask themselves whether they think the version of Daniel Jones from the last two weeks is the real one or whether the one from their first eight games is. Jones will provide the answer over the second half of the season.