Heading into the 2025 season, the Indianapolis Colts had a quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Considering Jones' mediocre career before heading to Indy, it was a huge shock when head coach Shane Steichen opted to make Jones his QB1, with fans and analysts alike assuming it would be a disaster.
However, an even bigger shock was waiting: Daniel Jones was actually pretty awesome. He was playing like an elite-level quarterback, and there was talk of him not only being named Comeback Player of the Year, but also league MVP. The Colts seemed poised not only to make the playoffs but also the Super Bowl, and Jones' career had been completely reinvigorated.
Then, as Colts fans all know by now, disaster struck. Jones was playing with a fractured fibula on his left leg, and then had an Achilles rupture in his right, which means he will be out until at least the beginning of the 2026 season. It was a devastating turn for the Colts, but for Jones himself, too.
Daniel Jones sends heartfelt message to Colts fans after season-ending injury
Jones is set to be a free agent in 2026, so there are a lot of questions about whether or not the Colts will risk bringing him back. Before this injury, it was extremely clear that Indy thought they had found a franchise quarterback in Danny Dimes, but now, everything is up in the air.
At this point, it's fair to say that both Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are back on the hot seat. But regardless of whether they stay or go, there's no telling if Jones will be brought back; if Steichen and Ballard aren't fired, they'll have to decide if they want to risk that he'll still be just as good after recovery, and new management may want to start fresh, too.
Jones himself is almost surely thinking the same thing. While it's clear that Indianapolis is where he wants to be, the reality is simply that it may not be possible. He finally spoke out after his season-ending injury, and it's a bittersweet message to fans.
"Thank you to my teammates, coaches, the Colts organization, and all the fans for the overwhelming support," he wrote. "Tough way to end this season, but 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. Go Colts!"
Colts Nation wasted no time showing him love in return in the comments.
Pat McAfee commented, "We appreciate and love you, brother. Thank you!" while Michael Pittman Jr. wrote, "We got you." Spencer Shrader, the new kicker who also saw his season cut short due to injury, added, "Indiana [Jones] gave it everything!! All love brother!!"
Fans will almost certainly want to see Jones come back stronger from this injury, but Jones' emotional message reads like a goodbye, saying he has been honored to wear the horseshoe.
However, Jones showed incredible potential this season with Steichen; it would be worth giving him another one-year contract to see how he recovers, and hopefully, proves his time in Indy didn't end way too soon.