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By Anne Erickson
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Daniel Jones gave the Indianapolis Colts stability before a torn Achilles tendon ended his season in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones was playing the best football of his career. He helped lead the Colts to an 8-4 record and looked comfortable running an offense that allowed him to play to his strengths. That version of Jones is exactly what Indianapolis hoped it was getting.
Jones has always been at his best when the offense allows him to play fast. Working off play action and RPO concepts gives him opportunities to make quick decisions, and when his first read is there, he can deliver the ball accurately and keep drives moving.
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His athletic ability also makes him a difficult quarterback to defend. Jones isn't just a pocket passer. He can move around, avoid pressure and pick up yards with his legs when a play breaks down. Those extra yards can be the difference between a stalled drive and a big conversion, especially on third down.
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The biggest questions with Jones have always come when things don't go according to plan. When defenses take away his first option, he has struggled at times to work through his progressions. He has also made some questionable decisions under pressure, which has prevented him from taking another step as a quarterback.
The Colts didn't need him to be a superstar every week. They needed him to make smart throws, take care of the football and run the offense. For most of the season, he did exactly that.
Now, the focus is on how he returns from the Achilles injury.
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That recovery will be important for a quarterback whose mobility is such a big part of his game. If Jones can get back to the level he was playing at before the injury, Indianapolis could feel much better about its quarterback situation heading into the future.
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