Daniel Jones hasn't just turned back the clock to 2022 in his inaugural campaign with the Indianapolis Colts; he's leveled up. His remarkable efforts have given the team the confidence to mortgage their future to acquire star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Indianapolis sent two first-round picks and a talented young wide receiver in Adonai Mitchell in a stunning blockbuster trade with the New York Jets. A move of this magnitude signals that the Colts are all-in on Jones as their quarterback of the present and future.
New York Giants fans have a feeling of déjà vu watching Jones thrive, specifically on an expiring contract. They've seen this movie before and know how it ends, which has put a knot in their stomachs on behalf of the Indy faithful.
Colts are walking right into the Daniel Jones dilemma Giants fans remember too well
The Colts have unofficially put all of their eggs in the Jones basket. You don't give up two Day 1 selections unless you're confident in the person under center. Their brain trust is demonstrably "sold" on him, as The Athletic's Zak Keefer highlighted in the immediate aftermath of the swap that landed them Gardner.
Jones has been a revelation for a Colts squad firmly in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The 28-year-old is balling out, leading the NFL in passing yards (2,404) and passing success rate (54.4 percent) through Week 9. He and his agents are surely eyeing a significant payday this offseason after settling for a one-year, $14 million "prove it" pact this past March.
Gardner effectively boxes the Colts into meeting Jones' presumably lofty forthcoming demands. If not, what are they going to do? Take a chance on a less-heralded, unproven prospect outside of Round 1 to take the reins?
Perhaps the Colts can bet on lightning striking twice and take a flier on another veteran castaway, hoping for similar results. They could also return to 2023 No. 4 overall draft choice Anthony Richardson, though that ship has ostensibly sailed, at least in Indy. The more you think about it, the more it feels like the franchise has made its bed.
Any leverage the Colts had in future negotiations with Jones went out the door the second the Gardner news was announced. "Danny Dimes" can ask for any amount of money he wants (within reason, of course) because Indy has no logical pivot. Sound familiar, Big Blue Nation?
Currently slated for unrestricted free agency following this season, Jones is expected to net roughly $45.9 million annually in his next deal (h/t Spotrac). Do with that information what you will, and brace for his honeymoon phase with the Colts to end ungracefully, as it did in New York.