The parallels between Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold are obvious. Both were top-ten draft picks looked at by their New York teams as franchise saviors. Darnold went to the Jets in 2018 and Jones to the Giants one year later. Both flamed out in New York. When that happens, you are often marked for life. New York media and fans are loud and ruthless.
Both young signal callers eventually found their way to the Minnesota Vikings. In 2024, Darnold was reinventing himself as a Pro Bowl-caliber QB. Late in the season, after being released by the Giants, Jones joined him in Minnesota. Though he never played for the Vikings, just being out of New York seemed to revive the QB. The following season, both were on to new teams.
Colts fans’ fondest hope is that Jones follows Darnold one more time in 2026. Darnold completed his remarkable redemption arc last year by leading the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl title. Can Daniel Jones do the same this season with the Colts?
How Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones can complete his amazing comeback in 2026
Obviously, a Super Bowl would be a tall order for a team that hasn’t even made the postseason since 2020. Just qualifying for the playoffs would constitute a major achievement for Shane Steichen and his men.
Then again, the Seahawks had missed the playoffs two straight years before winning it all last season. They did it in part because they had one of the best defenses in the league and the Offensive Player of the Year in receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Colts do not appear to have comparable weapons.
Then again, Indianapolis does have one of the best offensive lines in the league – placing fourth overall in a recent Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranking. Seattle’s line was only rated 15th best. And Jones will have an elite running back and ascendent tight end to lean on.
When he was healthy last season, with many of the same offensive weapons, Jones led one of the most explosive offenses in the league.
Still, doubters have legitimate arguments to make. Most players take some time to get back to full speed after an Achilles tear. Jones' recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, but the proof of regained health will not really come until he faces live action.
Then there is Jones’ history. He has played well at times in the past, only to disappoint the following season. Darnold faced similar questions after his excellent year in Minnesota. Sure, he had been good in 2024. But could he repeat it in ’25? History cast doubts, just as it is now doing for Jones.
I don’t have those doubts. I always believed Daniel Jones could be a plus QB if given the proper tools. With the Giants, he rarely had a quality line or dangerous receivers. His one major weapon, running back Saquon Barkley, was hurt too often.
Jones also had three different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators during his six seasons in New York. He never seemed to be on the same page with his revolving door of coaches.
That does not seem to be the case in Indianapolis, where Jones and Shane Steichen have reportedly developed a very close relationship.
So Daniel Jones does have several things in his corner heading into the 2026 season. And he has one massive question.
Who will be catching his passes? The Colts no longer have Michael Pittman. New WR1 Alec Pierce has yet to practice this training camp after surgery to repair his damaged ankle.
Now that Keenan Allen has been signed, he could be the ideal possession receiver -- a role that Pittman played very well last year. But if Pierce misses significant time, or if his productivity is negatively affected by his recovery, Jones will have a very difficult time leading an explosive offense.
Elite quarterbacks can elevate mid-level talent. We have seen Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen do that in recent years. Daniel Jones, as good as he can be, is not elite. He proved last year that he can operate a talented, creative offense very well.
He has never proven he can lead more modest talent to success.
If he is to really replicate the success Sam Darnold experienced in Seattle last season, he will need all hands on deck. The defense will have to play much better than last season. Jonathan Taylor will have to once again be a workhorse. The Colts must avoid the injury bug.
And most of all, he needs Alec Pierce operating on all cylinders. If he has all of that, the Colts and their quarterback could surprise the league. If he is missing pieces, it’s likely to be a very long season.
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