Last year in Indianapolis Colts training camp, Daniel Jones was in a battle with Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback spot. At least, that is what fans were led to believe. The truth was that Jones had the advantage since the day he showed up after being signed as a free agent.
Thankfully, at least through the first half of last year, Jones proved to be a free agent steal. He was leading a historically efficient offense until injuries began to take a toll. Instead of making that time look like a mirage, Jones has looked even better in training camp this year.
Of course, what makes that more miraculous is that the quarterback was initially iffy to return by Week 1 after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last year. Not only is he a full participant in camp, but he doesn't appear as if he suffered a traumatic injury about nine months ago.
Indianapolis Colts QB1 Daniel Jones continues to put on a training camp show
On Thursday, the Colts held an evening practice, and, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Indianapolis's QB1 was precise with his passes; he arguably had the best practice of his time with Indianapolis, including last year.
Jones was efficient and brilliant in two-minute drills, including a touchdown pass to one of the wide receivers hoping to get a grasp on the WR3 role, Ashton Dulin. But in the 11-on-11 drills, the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback was difficult to stop, even by high-end cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward.
The quarterback being better in his second season in Indy makes sense. A first year with a team, even for a veteran, takes a period of adjustment. Maybe during the run of the first season, the play can have everything click, and things run smoothly. In Jones' case, he was quite good from the start.
But maybe that was a lie, and in the best way. Instead of being simply efficient and making good decisions, perhaps Indy's QB1 takes his play up a level into something closer to Pro Bowl (or, fingers crossed, All-Pro) form. In the first half of last year, he was trending in that direction, but he suffered too many turnovers even before having his season end due to injury.
The turnover issues could be corrected by feeling even more comfortable in head coach Shane Steichen's scheme. Daniel Jones will know even better where the ball needs to go more quickly. That is always how Jones has operated at his best, whether it be with his previous team, the New York Giants, or the Colts.
Based on what the media and fans have seen in training camp so far, Jones is going to be special this season. If that unfolds, Indianapolis could be playoff-bound, especially as the defense will probably be better due to likely better health. Jones could be ready to unleash the elite Indianapolis over the course of an entire season, and that should be a scary thing to the rest of the NFL.
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