Story by
Bleacher Report Sends Warning about Ex-Vikings QB
- Story by
- Bleacher Report Sends Warning about Ex-Vikings QB
John Jones-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings let Daniel Jones escape during the 2025 free agency process, prompting him to latch onto the Indianapolis Colts roster and cook for 13 games before tearing his Achilles tendon. Now, with free agency less than eight weeks away, Bleacher Report has a recommendation about Jones for all NFL general managers: don't sign him.
Bleacher Report casts Daniel Jones as a high-risk 2026 free-agent option, with his Achilles injury and late-season fade in Indianapolis weighing heavily on his market.
Advertisement
The injury fears are too great, and Jones even began to decline midseason prior to the injury, so BR said "no thanks" on Jones.
Daniel Jones Sits Near the Top of the 2026 Risk List
Jones will have a free-agent market if the Colts don't re-sign him.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones loosens up on the field before kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams on Sep 28, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The pregame scene showed Jones preparing to lead Indianapolis during an early-season road test under bright lights and national attention that week. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Warning about Jones
BR's Alex Kay issues warnings about five impending free agents, with Jones topping his list.
He explained , "Spotrac estimates Jones' value to be nearly $45 million per year, a major salary commitment to an injury-prone quarterback who has appeared in 16 games during a season just once in his seven-year NFL career. If the Duke product returns to full strength and gets back to the level he was displaying prior to his injuries this past season, he could be a bargain for one of the many QB-needy clubs around the league."
Advertisement
"If Jones is limited — much like Kirk Cousins was during his first season with the Atlanta Falcons following a season-ending Achilles tear three years ago — this could be one of the more regrettable free-agent signings in recent history."
Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely , Eagles EDGE Jaelan Phillips , Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen , and Saints corner Alontae Taylor also earned placement on Kay's naughty list.
The Stats in 2025
Before the injury late in December, Jones was delivering sweet results. Indianapolis opened 8–2, and Jones spent September and October squarely in the MVP conversation . The momentum faded as the season wore on, but his body of work still held up in the minds of the NFL masses.
Advertisement
Everything about the Colts collapsed after that. The club spiraled, reached for Philip Rivers at quarterback after a five-year absence, and watched the postseason pass them by.
Had Jones' production continued in 2025, sans the unfortunate Achilles tear, he was on pace for this year-end stat line:
-
4,055 Yards Passing
-
31 Total TDs
-
10 INTs
-
68.0% Completion
-
7th in EPA+CPOE Ranking
Kay added about Jones' production, "Between Weeks 9-14, the Colts won just one of five games—and needed overtime to accomplish that lone victory — with Jones struggling to keep his blistering pace from earlier in the season. His completion rate dipped to 62.4 percent, he had nearly as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns (six) and only managed a single rushing score in those contests."
"After playing through a fibula injury that was clearly hindering his mobility, his season came to an end on December 7 when he tore his Achilles. Although there's hope he'll be cleared in time for training camp, it remains to be seen if the injury will have long-lasting effects. It also remains to be seen where the 2019 No. 6 overall pick will even play next season."
Advertisement
A Reunion in IND Likely
Thankfully for Jones' sake, the season-ending injury may not derail his career's current path.
Newly acquired Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones exits the field following a late-season matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The moment reflected a transition period for Minnesota as Jones entered the lineup to provide another option under center down the stretch. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Colts have indicated that they'd like to re-sign Jones, and Indianapolis is not accustomed to such a stellar 8-2 record, at least not since Andrew Luck walked away in 2019 . Indianapolis probably doesn't see its path forward with Anthony Richardson , a 1st-Round quarterback from the 2023 NFL Draft, and it also doesn't have a 1st-Round pick this April because of the Sauce Gardner trade three months ago.
General manager Chris Ballard and owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will likely re-sign Jones and let it rip with young passer Riley Leonard if Jones isn't ready in September. Leonard played well in Week 18.
Advertisement
An Awkward Injury Due to Timing
None of this should discount the awful timing for Jones, though.
His career hit an apex in September and October, with folks calling Jones the latest quarterback reclamation story, not at all unlike Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield . The guy was straight cooking. He was also in line for a contract worth at least $40 million per year — and probably more.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon speaks with staff on the sideline during Indianapolis' game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct 12, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The exchange unfolded amid organizational attention surrounding the Colts as on-field performance and leadership questions hovered during the regular-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Now, the Colts must factor in his torn Achilles because, as Kay mentioned, that injury can alter a player's career.
It was all trending up for Jones, and now he lives on a list like Bleacher Report 's: free agents to avoid.
