Stampede Blue
The Colts’ offense isn’t just the NFL’s best — it’s on a historic pace, averaging more points per drive than any team since 2000.
While the additions of Tyler Warren and a fully healthy Jonathan Taylor have made a huge difference, the biggest reason for the Colts’ offensive success has been Daniel Jones and his remarkable efficiency.
Jones is currently playing on a one-year, $14 million deal. The question now is: what will the Colts have to pay him after the season if he maintains this level of play?
To break down a potential contract, three factors need to be analyzed:
Quality of Play
By all accounts, Daniel Jones has been a top 8 quarterback in the NFL this season. He ranks:
He has been tremendously efficient and clean with his passes and the Colts have the best offense in the NFL.
Importance to the Team
It’s not difficult to measure Daniel Jones’ impact on the Colts. Last season, with Joe Flacco and Anthony Richardson splitting starts, Indianapolis averaged 22 points per game. Through seven games this year, they’re averaging 33. The addition of Tyler Warren has certainly helped, but it’s clear that Jones has been the driving force behind the offense’s 50% scoring jump. The last time the Colts had a quarterback rank in the top 10 across major passing categories was 2018 — Andrew Luck’s final full season.
Jones and Shane Steichen have developed a clear chemistry. The offense is built around Jones’ strengths — play action, quick rhythm, and timing — and he’s executing it flawlessly. His consistency has also opened up the run game, allowing Jonathan Taylor to return to MVP-caliber form behind a far more balanced attack.
A good comparison might be Baker Mayfield’s breakout year in Tampa Bay. Mayfield played at a high level, took a team-friendly deal, and gave the Buccaneers roster flexibility. If Jones were to do the same — which, adjusted for inflation, would be roughly three years and $40 million per season — he’d be celebrated in Indianapolis. It’s not impossible, but it’s rare in today’s NFL, where most quarterbacks push for top-of-market deals.
Comparable Quarterbacks
While many quarterback contracts haven’t lived up to expectations, it’s worth noting that when the players listed below signed their deals, they were performing at a level comparable to Daniel Jones.
The three most relevant long-term contract comparisons for Jones’ next contract are:
