For much of the offseason, it was unclear if the Indianapolis Colts would have quarterback Daniel Jones available for Week 1. The answer, based on what head coach Shane Steichen told ESPN this weekend, is that the team will indeed have QB1 ready.
Not only that, but Jones will be practicing in training camp with seemingly no limitations, either. It only took Steichen five words to sum up Jones' health.
The coach said, "He’ll be a full participant."
Shane Steichen just allowed Indianapolis Colts fans to breathe easier about Daniel Jones
Done and dusted, and time for Indy to prepare in full for a make-or-break season for many members of the organization. That includes the quarterback. Even though Jones signed a two-year deal to stay with the Colts this offseason, the team has an out after one year that would save Indy $38 million.
In other words, Jones needs to play as well as he did in the first half of last season over the course of the entire 2026 season, stay healthy (he has had three seasons cut short due to various injuries), and lead the team to the playoffs. If that happens, the QB will likely have earned his second year, potentially maximizing the $88 million he can get paid through 2027.
Even better for training camp is Jones being a full go. He participated in organized team activities and minicamp, but only as far as 7-on-7 drills. He wasn't tasked to do full squad sessions, even though he wanted to. Now, based on what Steichen said, Jones will be able to get back to building rapport with his receivers in a somewhat revamped offense.
Most importantly, Michael Pittman Jr. won't be around to be a possession receiver for the quarterback. Pittman was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, while Alec Pierce was re-signed to a four-year deal. That means Pierce is the new WR1 and will need to get a lot more targets than his career-high of 84, set last season.
Pierce, though, could miss at least part of training camp while rehabbing from ankle surgery he had in March. A possibility exists that he is struggling to return by Week 1. The positive part is that he and Daniel Jones were a great duo for the Indianapolis Colts for much of last season, and should be into the future.
What Jones and the rest of the offense will learn in camp is which wideout steps up to take control of the WR3 spot after Pierce and Josh Downs. Ashton Dulin appears to have the edge, but he's never delivered good production. Maybe Jones, happily a full participant in training camp, can help Dulin grow as a player, which will help everyone involved.
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