PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 28: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants throws a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts could be close to signing the veteran quarterback they’ve been looking for to be competition for current starter Anthony Richardson.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Colts are one of two “leading contenders” for signing former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. It’s reportedly between Indy and the Minnesota Vikings, who Jones finished the season with after being cut by the Giants in November.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard made headlines during the NFL Combine two weeks ago when he said the Colts are actively pursuing veteran quarterbacks to “open competition” for the starting job that Richardson currently holds.
“We want to create real competition,” Ballard said. “It’s good for the team. I think it’s good for Anthony.”
Jones was drafted sixth overall by the G-Men in 2019 as two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning’s heir apparent. Since then, Jones was on and off the injured list, finishing his six seasons in New York with the lowest winning percentage of quarterbacks with at least 50 starts during that time span. He won just 24 of 69 games in the Big Apple.
One of the highlights of his career came in the 2022 season as he led the Giants to victory against the Vikings in the NFC Wild Card round. That was the Giants’ first playoff win since the 2011 Super Bowl season. That game pushed the Giants to lock in the former Duke standout to a four-year, $160 million deal.
After a season and a half of injuries and poor performance, the Giants moved on from Jones in November 2024. Jones asked the franchise to release him, which was granted. Less than a week later, the Vikings signed Jones as a backup for starter Sam Darnold.
According to Russini, the decision will likely be on Jones’ shoulders — whether he wants to play for the Colts or stay with the Vikings.