As it turns out, Daniel Jones is pretty good. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard made what seemed like a risky move in signing Jones this past offseason, only adding Jones has turned out to be a stroke of genius. The quarterback is just what head coach Shane Steichen needed.
Of course, for the first time in Jones' seven-year career, he actually has a slew of offensive weapons to work with as well as a fantastic offensive line. Maybe many quarterbacks could have had the success with Indy that Jones has had this season, but Anthony Richardson certainly couldn't. Maybe Jones is finally showing his true self.
One specific statistic that proves Jones' value this season is what he is doing on third down. Through Week 8, the quarterback is completing 75 percent of his third-down passes, while averaging more than 10 yards per pass attempt. No other quarterback in the past 45 years has had those kinds of numbers.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is putting up historical numbers
Sure, Jones is a system quarterback in Steichen's scheme, but most QBs are system quarterbacks. That doesn't devalue the player. In fact, the player is elevating the system. A machine only works as well as its parts, and there is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts' offensive machine is as brilliant as it is because of Jones.
One could safely wonder if this is one season of greatness (or one-half of a season) or whether the Jones and Steichen magic will continue well into the future. For Colts fans, the hope is obviously that this year's model is sustainable, and maybe it is.
The offensive line is set for the foreseeable future, and running back Jonathan Taylor isn't going anywhere. Daniel Jones is only under contract for 2025, but not re-signing him would be criminal. The assumption should be that he is wrapped up by the Colts for at least three seasons beyond this season.
Right tackle Braden Smith should be re-signed as well, as keeping the O-line together is key. Wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to be a free agent, but Indy should have the money to re-sign him, Jones, and Smith. The only question might be how much Pierce can fetch on the open market.
But there is no fluke to what Jones is doing for the Indianapolis Colts on third down. Even if his numbers diminish a little in 2026, he would still be playing at a higher level than most other quarterbacks. With Shane Steichen returning, and most, if not all, of the offense, what Indy fans are seeing this season should look a lot like what fans see in 2026, too.