The Indianapolis Colts stunned the NFL in the preseason when Daniel Jones was chosen to lead the team at QB1 over Anthony Richardson, who was the No. 4 pick just a few short years ago. That Richardson had been drafted so high and has so much talent and potential led most analysts to believe Richardson was the sure choice.
Instead, Shane Steichen felt that Jones gave the Colts a better chance at winning this season, something most people thought was ridiculous, believing Jones would be mediocre at best.
Instead, he shocked the entire league by performing at an incredibly high level. It was literally historic; Jones and the Colts became the first team since 1977 to score on every one of their seven offensive drives.
Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones said the Vikings helped him learn and grow as a QB
Jones made it clear in the offseason that he took a huge gamble to come to Indianapolis; though he wasn't the starter for his most recent team, the Minnesota Vikings, he was getting more money from them than the Colts were offering.
He took a pay cut just to have the chance to be QB1, which so far seems to be working out. And it might well be the experience in Minnesota helped prepare him to succeed now in Indy.
In an interview with Colts alum Pat McAfee, Jones explained that his time with the Vikings wasn't in vain, though - even from the bench.
"The biggest thing I took away from there was the preparation and how detailed they were in the game plan," Jones said. "How much they prepare for certain looks, checks they had, motions to undress the defense. Every little thing, they were going over, they were talking through, or walking through. It was very, very detailed. ‘Here’s what we’re expecting, here’s what we’re going to do to it.’ The preparation day-to-day throughout the week was really impressive to me. I think being around those guys and seeing that, being able to watch Sam [Darnold] prepare and how they prepared him, to me, was really impressive."
Before now, Jones had a lot of ugly stats to his name and had struggled throughout his NFL career, particularly with the New York Giants. And by the time he got to Minnesota, it looked like his career was all but done; he just barely made the active roster. But Jones apparently took the opportunity, even from the bench, to become a better quarterback.
The Vikings are one of the best teams in the league right now, and Darnold was a Pro Bowl QB last season. Taking the opportunity to learn and grow is likely why he was able to show so much improvement so far with the Colts.
Now, it has to be said that Jones played so well against the Miami Dolphins... one of the worst teams in the league. But there is still good reason to be optimistic moving forward that he may have finally worked it out.
And, believe it or not, that could be to Richardson's benefit, too. As noted, no one could doubt the upside and talent Richardson has, but he is still young; he was the youngest quarterback in the NFL last season.
Jones could serve as an example to Richardson to not see being QB2 as a career-ending setback, but an opportunity - an opportunity to grow and learn, and then, when the time is right, take his place as a franchise quarterback, fully able to capitalize on all of his talent and athleticism.