The Indianapolis Colts can't make the mistake of assuming quarterback Daniel Jones will return in 2026. The team might have given him a chance to start in 2025, but gave him $14 million to do so. Jones will want more next year and beyond.
That will be the case even though he tore an Achilles tendon late in the season. He could be back by training camp, or at least by Week 1. This, of course, means that the quarterback won't miss games than he missed at the end of this season.
How much would it take to re-sign Jones? The amount is not yet known, but one NFL analyst believes the quarterback could earn a deal that pays him at least $100 million. That would obviously be a multi-year deal, and maybe back-loaded, but Jones will only be 29 years old at the beginning of next season. He should have many years left to play.
NFL analyst warns the Indianapolis Colts that multiple teams might want Daniel Jones in free agency
But according to Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone, Indianapolis will certainly not be the only potential bidder for Danny Dimes. The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers could be, too. And the Steelers have as much money as Indianapolis does to sign a long-term quarterback.
In 2026, the Colts have a projected $47,595,927 to spend, while the Steelers have $39,861,970. The Vikings are currently in the negative for the coming offseason. The caveat for the Colts is that it also has to potentially find money to re-sign wide receiver Alec Pierce, right tackle Braden Smith, and safety Nick Cross.
Pittsburgh does not have the same concerns, which means it would have more money to build a potentially better roster.
Scataglia writes of the Steelers in relation to Daniel Jones, "The Steelers could extend a multi-year free agency contract offer to Daniel Jones and convince themselves that signing a QB to a multi-year deal is actually making the necessary move at the position."
About the Vikings, the analyst says, "The Vikings signed Daniel Jones last year when he was let go by the New York Giants, so he has some familiarity with the team. It would shock me if the Vikings' front office didn't pursue this move, as jobs could be on the line. Jones would be an immediate upgrade and would have a similar set-up he did in 2025 with the Colts."
Of course, Lou Scataglia is not wrong, and both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers may decide they need a new long-term quarterback. Aaron Rodgers might be in his final NFL season in Pittsburgh, but the team has a roster that can be competitive. Jones would help it stay that way.
The Vikings, if they can create the money needed to sign Jones, might be in an even better spot. They have battled to an 8-8 record through Week 17 despite their quarterback play. Minnesota has a very good defense and great wide receivers, like Justin Jefferson. Jones could elevate them from mediocre to championship caliber.
One question that is obvious to Indianapolis Colts fans, though, is who might be making the offseason decisions. Will general manager Chris Ballard still be employed after another playoff-less season? That might need to be figured out before the Daniel Jones situation is. By that time, Jones could be employed elsewhere.