Colts To Have Opening Competition Between Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones
The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for an open quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson, who is healthy and has no plans to seek a trade, and Daniel Jones, agent Deiric Jackson told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "AR will be ready to roll," Jackson said. The plan all along was for the Colts to bring another QB in to compete with Richardson, who missed time with another injury in 2024 and was also benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Jones will be that guy after inking a one-year, $14 million deal with Indy after he was cut by the New York Giants a season ago. The 27-year-old latched on with the Minnesota Vikings late in the year but never played. As long as Richardson stays healthy, it would be an upset if Jones won the job over him, but Richardson definitely needs to show improvement as a passer to take the next step. If Richardson wins the job, he'll have QB1 upside because of his rushing prowess.
Free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones is planning to sign with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The longtime New York Giant spent the last half of the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, but Jones is ultimately choosing to go to Indianapolis where he will likely have a chance to compete with Anthony Richardson for the QB1 job. Since being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones has totaled 14,582 passing yards, 70 passing touchdowns, 47 interceptions, 2,179 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns. His supporting cast in New York was seemingly always among the worst in the NFL, and a fresh start could revive the Duke product's career.
The Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts are waiting on free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones to choose between the two organizations, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Both teams have been rumored to have interest in signing Jones this offseason. Jones joined the Vikings last November after being released by the New York Giants midway through the 2024 campaign but did not appear in a game for Minnesota. Jones, a former first-round pick by the G-Men out of Duke, has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in 70 career games. He's added 2,179 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. However, he's compiled a 22-44-1 record and has been viewed as a bust for much of his career. That said, he could have fantasy football value if he lands in Minnesota and gets a starting opportunity given the strong supporting cast of weapons in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
The Minnesota Vikings may be interested in bringing free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones back to the team. Jones signed as a backup with the Vikings during the 2024 season after he was released by the New York Giants. He is also reportedly drawing interest from the Indianapolis Colts this offseason. The Vikings have 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) waiting in the wings, but they would like to add a veteran QB to compete with him or even serve as a bridge option if the former Michigan Wolverine isn't ready to start just yet. Jones' tenure with the Giants ended on a sour note but it appears that he won't have much trouble finding a new team when the NFL's legal tampering period begins on Monday.
Names on the Indianapolis Colts' radar as they look to bring in competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson include Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, Trey Lance and Jacoby Brissett, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Jones' name has come up more than once in regards to the Colts this offseason. Indianapolis hasn't given up on Richardson as their starter under center moving forward, but it will also be telling how they approach free agency at the position. Veteran Joe Flacco served as the backup to Richardson last year and even started six games in 2024, but it remains to be seen if the Colts will re-sign him. Jones, a former first-rounder, was a bust for the New York Giants and was cut last year after throwing for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games. With Sam Darnold potentially leaving the Vikings, Minnesota could look to re-sign Jones as insurance for J.J. McCarthy (knee).
Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) is expected to be on the Cleveland Browns' radar this offseason, according to people that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has talked to. Because the Browns still owe injured quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) $92 million over the next two years, they will understandably consider cost when it comes to the QB market. They are also fully expected to stay in the No. 2 spot in the upcoming NFL draft and take a signal-caller. Cleveland could also be interested in Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins if he becomes available, but the Falcons might not just outright cut him. Fowler also mentions Carson Wentz as a possible target for the Browns. Jones, 27, completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight TDs and seven interceptions in 10 games before being released by the Giants in 2024. He then latched on with the Vikings but didn't see any action. With Sam Darnold likely to walk in free agency, don't rule out the Vikings re-signing Jones as insurance for former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee).
The Indianapolis Colts will likely have quarterback Anthony Richardson under center to begin the 2025 campaign, but after Richardson's struggles to begin his career, the team would be wise to sign a backup with upside. Richardson has completed just 50.6% of his passes for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through his first 15 games. According to Colts reporter James Boyd of The Athletic, former New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones could be a free-agent target for Indianapolis. "Ballard made it clear the Colts will bring in another QB to push Anthony Richardson, and my best guess on who that quarterback will be is Daniel Jones," Boyd wrote. "I suspect my No. 1 choice, Justin Fields, will stay in Pittsburgh, making Jones the next-best/most realistic option in free agency because of his dual-threat abilities." Jones has passed for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in 70 career games. While it's tough to be optimistic about his future, quarterbacks have gone on to find success with new teams in the past.
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure of QB Deshaun Watson's contract will clear up around $36 million in cap space. The status of QBs Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson will dictate how expensive Cousins and Jones will be this offseason. Cousins isn't a free agent, but the Atlanta Falcons probably will find it hard to trade him because of the $10 million roster bonus he's due after the start of the new league year. Cousins has familiarity with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their days with the Vikings. The Browns are expected to draft a QB at No. 2 overall this year, but Cousins could make sense as a bridge starter if he becomes a free agent.
According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, quarterback Daniel Jones could return to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 season. While Lewis noted that Jones is expected to test free agency, he could be a part of Minnesota's plans if Sam Darnold were to depart. This would present an opportunity for Jones to operate as the No. 2 option behind J.J. McCarthy (knee). McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after he tore his meniscus during the preseason. Jones opened the 2024 campaign with the New York Giants but was released after Week 10. During this 10-game stint, Jones scored 10 touchdowns, threw seven interceptions, and averaged a mere 207.5 passing yards per game. The 27-year-old operated as the No. 3 QB while with the Vikings. Given his struggles this season, Jones will likely operate as a backup throughout most of the 2025 campaign, if not for the rest of his career.
Daniel Jones Serving As Emergency Third QB On Monday
The Minnesota Vikings were reportedly considering elevating quarterback Daniel Jones to No. 2 QB duties for their wild-card playoff matchup on Monday against the Los Angeles Rams behind starter Sam Darnold, but Jones is officially inactive as the emergency third QB. Veteran Nick Mullens would be forced into action for the Vikes on Monday night if anything were to happen to Darnold. The 27-year-old Jones was cut by the New York Giants earlier this year and latched onto the Vikings' practice squad in late November, but he wasn't signed to Minnesota's active 53-man roster until last Tuesday. Jones will only be allowed to enter Monday's playoff game against the Rams in Arizona if both Darnold and Mullens are forced to exit due to injuries. Perhaps if the Vikings advance to the Divisional Round next weekend, Jones might leapfrog Mullens on the QB depth chart.
Anthony Richardson
• QB
•
Colts
|
Daniel Jones
• QB
•
Vikings
