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By Robert Marvi
Contributing Sports Writer
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In September and October, the Indianapolis Colts were galloping fast and surpassing all preseason expectations, and there was a growing feeling that they were a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But they have lost three games in a row and four of their last five, and now, quarterback Daniel Jones is out for the duration after tearing his Achilles this past Sunday.
It was a huge gut punch to a team and franchise that was feeling great about its chances of doing real damage in the NFL playoffs, especially given the level of parity throughout the AFC. It was also devastating for Jones, who had been dismissed as a bust during his six previous seasons with the New York Giants but was largely playing at a Pro Bowl level this year prior to his injury.
Not only will the Colts have to go to battle without him for the rest of this season, but how much and whether he will play next season is an open question. Joel Corry of CBS Sports wrote in a recent article that they should make a move for Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
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“Jones’ injury puts his future with the Colts in jeopardy,” Corry wrote. “Without first-round picks, it becomes far more difficult for Indianapolis to pivot to a new quarterback through the NFL Draft… The 2026 quarterback class is considered mediocre at best. There aren’t great alternatives in free agency.”
“Mac Jones would be the best trade option. He kept the 49ers afloat during the eight games Brock Purdy missed with a turf toe injury and will be entering a contract year in 2026, when he’s scheduled to make $4.66 million. With the modest salary and a shallow quarterback market, San Francisco should have leverage in any Jones trade talks.”
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During a nine-game span earlier this season, Purdy missed eight games due to a toe injury. Jones started in each of those eight games and played at a relatively high level, allowing the 49ers to win five of those contests. Overall, Jones has thrown for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 69.6% of his pass attempts this season.
After making the Pro Bowl and leading a rebuilding New England Patriots team to the playoffs as a rookie in 2021, he, even more so than Jones, had been considered a bust. But his play in San Francisco this year has greatly rebuilt his value across the NFL, making him seem like a prime trade candidate for this spring.
In fact, Jones has played so well that before Purdy returned in Week 11, there was talk of a quarterback controversy. A number of prominent voices across the league and in the media urged the Niners to stick with Jones over the more proven Purdy. In 2023, Purdy proved he was a quality QB by making the Pro Bowl, leading the NFL in passer rating, QBR and touchdown percentage and getting the Niners to the very brink of a world championship.
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Just prior to Jones' injury, Indianapolis traded for former Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner, which suggested that it was serious about competing for a Super Bowl title right now. Given that level of urgency, it will need to secure a very competent quarterback for the 2026 campaign.
Its other options are unpalatable -- Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has been a bust, and Philip Rivers, the 44-year-old it signed this week, is likely only a minimal stopgap solution.
For more on the Colts and 49ers, as well as general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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