Daniel Jones Finally Looks Like the Quarterback He Was Meant to Be
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For years, Daniel Jones was more punchline than playmaker.
The former No. 6 overall pick from Duke entered the league in 2019 with sky-high expectations, only to spend most of his New York tenure being dissected by fans and media for every turnover, missed read, and fumble. But in Indianapolis, something has shifted — and suddenly, Danny Dimes is playing like the quarterback everyone hoped he’d become.
Through ten games this season, Jones has thrown for 2,659 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, while completing nearly 70% of his passes — a career-high mark that ranks among the top-five in the league. His 101.6 passer rating is another career best, and perhaps more telling, the Colts are 8-2, sitting atop the AFC South and finally looking like a complete football team.
A new environment, a new Jones
What’s changed? Stability. Jones no longer has to survive weekly coaching changes or a fan base waiting to pounce. Under head coach Shane Steichen, he’s been allowed to settle into an offense that values efficiency, tempo, and rhythm. His decision-making has improved dramatically — he’s averaging fewer than one turnover every two games after averaging nearly two per game in New York last season.
“He’s confident again,” Steichen said post-game after Indy’s Week 10 win. “We’re letting him make plays on his terms, not forcing anything. You can see how much the locker room believes in him now.”
Jonathan Taylor’s resurgence
Of course, it helps that Jonathan Taylor is back to looking like his 2021 self. The former rushing champ has been electric in recent weeks, including a 244-yard, three-touchdown explosion against Atlanta — highlighted by an 83-yard overtime walk-off run that sent the Colts crowd into chaos. Taylor’s burst has forced defenses to stack the box again, opening up the intermediate and play-action passing lanes that Jones thrives in.
“I’ve said it since camp,” Taylor told reporters. “When our line clicks and Danny’s spreading the field, we’re a nightmare to stop.”
The trade that changed the tone
Then came the trade deadline shocker: the Colts landing cornerback Sauce Gardner in a blockbuster deal that stunned the league. Gardner, a 2022 All-Pro, instantly elevated the Colts’ secondary — in his debut, he allowed zero completions on three targets and recorded two pass breakups.
The move did more than bolster the defense; it sent a message to the locker room. The Colts aren’t just playing to compete — they’re playing to contend.
So, are the Colts for real?
It’s the question every fan — and maybe even every rival — is asking. The Colts have balance: a rejuvenated quarterback, a dominant run game, and a defense capable of suffocating opponents. But as history shows, the regular season isn’t the finish line.
Jones has silenced doubters before — only for the noise to return in the postseason. If he can maintain his composure, limit turnovers, and keep feeding off Taylor’s ground attack, Indianapolis might be one of the few teams capable of challenging Kansas City or Baltimore come January.
For now, though, it’s safe to say one thing: Daniel Jones looks free again — and so do the Colts.