Daniel Jones was a free agent acquisition for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, and he had already been a first-round bust for the New York Giants. Indy appeared to make the terrible decision of having Jones and Anthony Richardson in the same quarterback room. What a mess that would be.
Only, maybe it won't be. While 2023 first-round Colts pick Richardson watched, Jones led Indy's offense in a more efficient manner than fans have seen in years. Maybe the issue was that the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis's Week 1 opponent, has a terrible defense. Or maybe Jones has finally found his true home.
Jones began the first drive by leading Indy on a classic Danny Dimes-style drive. His team didn't score a touchdown, but instead kicked a field goal after Jones scrambled, but it did not appear he could get anywhere near the goal line. Plus, he was hit hard by Miami's Matthew Judon.
Daniel Jones looks terrific for the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of Week 1
But forget that first drive, Jones must have thought. On the Colts' second drive, Jones threw a great pass down the sideline for a touchdown to Michael Pittman, who ran into the end zone untouched. At this point, some Indy fans might have been asking themselves, "Anthony Richardson who?"
Or maybe that question was too soon. Or maybe it wasn't. After Indianapolis got the ball back on another Dolphins turnover, Jones drove Indy to the goal line, where he took it himself in for a one-yard touchdown.
Daniel Jones doesn't have the raw athleticism of Anthony Richardson, but he doesn't have to. Not when he follows the game plan and scheme that head coach Shane Steichen has laid out. That's always been the trick with Jones. He doesn't ever take chances, but maybe he needed an offense built around him where he didn't need to.
Did he look slightly iffy on the last drive (and a half) of the first half? Yep. But the damage had been done to Miami by this time. Plus, Indy had scored on every drive in the first half for the first time since 2006 they have done so.
He got the ball to his skill position players, and they did what they do. The Indianapolis Colts don't lack talent, but they did lack good quarterback play for the last few years. There is still a lot of season left, but Jones might just have proven in one half of Week 1 to be the quarterback to get Indy to the playoffs.