It took no time for Daniel Jones to land another starting job after leaving the New York Giants. Following a summer-long competition with expected QB1 Anthony Richardson to start in Indianapolis, the former No. 6 overall pick managed to fend off the strong-armed 23-year-old to start Week 1 in Miami.
It’s no surprise the Charlotte native won the job—he had been the favorite for most of the summer with Richardson sidelined due to injury. The thing that is more surprising is that Shane Steichen has once again found a reason to bench the signal-caller he hand-picked with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023.
And ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Steichen said Jones’ standing atop the depth chart is not expected to be a short-term decision.
“He’s the starting QB for the season,” Steichen told reporters. “I don’t want to put a short leash on that.”
Former Giants QB Daniel Jones is somehow a starter again
The Duke product has started 69 games in his career, throwing for 14,582 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in six seasons. Pedestrian numbers on the surface, but he still led Big Blue to a playoff win back in 2022—a campaign that got him paid handsomely, but blew up in Joe Schoen’s face.
Jones struggled immensely in New York, turning over the football 97 times in his career. While Big Blue looks to be better off with Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart, it’s looking like the divorce between “Danny Dimes” and the Giants has been for the best of all parties.
Now as a bridge starter until the 2026 Draft, he’s slated to enter the best situation of his career, with the 28-year-old having no shortage of weapons to throw to.
Jones will have the luxury of having Michael Pittman Jr, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Adonai Mitchell to throw to in the Colts’ receiver room - and he’ll also have first-round tight end Tyler Warren and two-time Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor in his arsenal.
It’s a far cry from what he had to work with in New York, as his weapons were pretty lackluster aside from Saquon Barkley, Malik Nabers, and a season of Darren Waller. The offensive line in Indianapolis is also far better, which could serve him well despite his clear defect as a decision-maker.
Jones signed a one-year deal with the Colts back in March, which provides him a new opportunity to revive his NFL career away from the spotlight that comes with playing in New York. We saw how scenery changes affected players like Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, so maybe there’s hope for the former Giants’ bust yet.
But they could also learn the same lesson all of New York did about Jones - and find out the hard way.