Indianapolis Colts Taking Trade Calls On Daniel Jones Before Hosting Dallas Cowboys
INDIANAPOLIS — Multiple teams have called the Indianapolis Colts about trading quarterback Daniel Jones, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday, a day before Jones is slated to start against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts have been willing to listen to any offer for Jones. They have also held trade talks on running back Jonathan Taylor. Through Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline, Indianapolis is expected to keep taking calls on Jones as it looks to stockpile draft capital and cut down on financial risk, according to the report.
The Baltimore Ravens checked in on Jones before trading for former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Baltimore lost Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley to injuries last weekend. Both quarterbacks went on injured reserve.
The report also named the Minnesota Vikings as a team that should not be ruled out. Jones finished the 2024 season in Minnesota after the New York Giants released him, signing to the Vikings’ practice squad before joining the active roster.
Daniel Jones Carries $10.51 Million Injury Guarantee For 2027
Indianapolis re-signed Jones in March to a two-year, $88 million contract that included a $44 million signing bonus. His $10.51 million injury guarantee for the 2027 season becomes fully guaranteed March 15 if he is still on the roster.
If the Colts (2-6) are eliminated from playoff contention, the team might not want to expose Jones to an injury that would lock in that money, and a benching could come into play, according to the report. Jones could also waive the injury guarantee if he wanted to play for another franchise, sources told the two reporters.
He agreed to the deal while rehabbing a torn right Achilles tendon. Last season, his first in Indianapolis, Jones completed 261-of-384 passes (68.0%) for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 13 games before the injury on Dec. 7. He also ran 45 times for 164 yards and 5 touchdowns.
In eight starts this season, Jones has completed 162-of-268 passes (60.4%) for 1,542 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He has been sacked 22 times and has lost 4 fumbles.
Shane Steichen Sticks With Jones Against Dallas Cowboys
Last Sunday, Jones went 19-of-28 for 144 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in a 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Colts coach Shane Steichen pulled him early in the fourth quarter for Anthony Richardson Sr., who played 13 snaps in his first regular-season action since Oct. 5, 2025.
After that game, Steichen said he would “evaluate everything, every position.” By Monday he had reviewed the film, and Steichen said Jones made good decisions and that his first interception, which was returned for a touchdown, went through the hands of the intended receiver. “Daniel gives us the best chance to win right now,” Steichen said.
Earlier in the week, Schefter floated Minnesota and Baltimore as possible landing spots for Jones on his podcast. Jones met with reporters Wednesday and said the work the Colts put in this week is important for everyone on the roster.
“I think just like anything, like any of the other stuff that could come up and distract you from what your job is and your daily preparation, I think getting back to what’s right in front of you,” Jones said. “What’s most important right now, and like I said, the work that we’re doing this week is extremely important for all of us. So I’ve got that approach.”
On Oct. 19, team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard, and Ed Dodds took over on an interim basis. Eight days later, Indianapolis traded guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner went to the San Francisco 49ers that afternoon for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Taylor has 610 rushing yards, eighth in the NFL. His 8 rushing touchdowns are tied for third, and he signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August. After the loss in Jacksonville, Taylor wants the Colts to put a better product on the field Sunday.
“It’s kind of dragged on for a while now, so at this point, it’s just noise,” Taylor said Thursday. “It’s been like three or four or however many weeks, so at this point, it becomes regular scheduled programming.”
Sunday is Indianapolis’ first home game since Ballard’s firing and the two trades. The Colts have lost four straight, while Dallas is 3-5 after a 33-30 overtime loss at Arizona last week. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX. The Cowboys lead the all-time regular-season series 11-6 and won the last meeting 54-19 on Dec. 4, 2022.
