They called him “Danny Dimes” in New York, but in Indianapolis, he’s known as “Indiana Jones.” After a few roller-coaster seasons with the Giants, Daniel Jones has traded the bright lights of the Big Apple for the blue and white of the Colts and so far, the adventure has been worth it.
After years of ups and downs with the New York Giants and a brief stint as the backup for the Minnesota Vikings, Daniel Jones has finally found a new home in Indiana. The first nine games of the 2025–2026 season have been extraordinary for both the Colts and Jones. Indianapolis sits at 7–2 at the midpoint of the season, shocking analysts and fans who once believed Jones’ days as a high-level starter were behind him. Now, he’s not just proving he belongs: he’s making a legitimate case for MVP. Jones has already thrown for over 2,400 yards with 14 touchdowns and only six interceptions, and he’s averaging a passer rating of 101.7 , one of the highest of his career. In New York, his injuries and inconsistent support created doubts about whether he could ever be a true franchise quarterback. In Indianapolis, he’s answering those doubts loudly.
With the 6th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Daniel Jones from Duke. He was chosen for his athleticism, intelligence, and the belief that he could eventually replace Eli Manning. In his early seasons, he showed flashes of brilliance with big throws, unforgettable and promising touchdowns where he looked like the future of the franchise. But those flashes were often overshadowed by injuries, questionable playcalling, and a constantly changing offense. Even so, he led the Giants to the playoffs in the 2022 season, winning a memorable Wild Card matchup against the Vikings before falling to the Eagles 38–7. It seemed like he was destined to be an all time great, like Eli Manning, but that momentum vanished quickly. The very next year, Jones battled injuries behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. What could have been a step forward instead became a setback that damaged his reputation in New York.
By the middle of the 2024 season, the Giants made a difficult decision: they released Daniel Jones. For many around the league, this felt like the end of the Daniel Jones experiment, the final chapter for a quarterback who had talent but never fully put it together in New York. But Jones wasn’t finished. Shortly after his release, the Vikings picked him up as a backup behind Sam Darnold and injured rookie J.J. McCarthy. He didn’t play much, but he quietly rebuilt his confidence, learned a new system, and got healthy again.
That set the stage for the biggest turning point in his career. In the 2025 offseason, the Indianapolis Colts decided to take a chance on Daniel. With Anthony Richardson returning from injury, the Colts needed competition in the quarterback room, someone capable of pushing the young star or even starting if things didn’t go as planned. What they didn’t expect was that Daniel Jones would come in determined and more prepared than ever before. The quarterback battle in training camp was fierce, but Jones impressed the coaching staff with his decisionmaking, leadership, and ball security. By the time preseason ended, he had earned the starting job.
Once the regular season began, it became clear the Colts had made the right call. For the first time in years, Jones was playing behind a stable offensive line, alongside a strong running game, and with a coaching staff willing to build the offense around his strengths. Head coach Shane Steichen crafted a playbook designed for the teams and Jones’s strengths. With star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. , breakout rookie tight end Tyler Warren, and impressive wide receivers in Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, Jones was surrounded with weapons he hadn’t had since his best days in New York.
His newfound comfort translated immediately onto the field. In Week 1, he delivered an exceptional performance, throwing 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions with a passer rating of 111.1. 2 weeks later, he continued his brilliant start throwing over 250 yards and achieving a passer rating of 136.0. In Week 9, he threw over 350 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the league’s best defenses. But stats only tell part of the story. What’s most notable about Jones’ resurgence is his confidence for the first time in a long time, he looks like a quarterback who believes he can take over a game. His teammates consistently praise his leadership and calmness in the huddle. The Indianapolis fanbase, once unsure and doubtful about the signing, has rallied behind him, embracing the “Indiana Jones” nickname and celebrating his unexpected rise.
Currently, the Colts sit at 8-2, at the top of the AFC South. If Indianapolis continue their strong run, Jones will not only lead them to the playoffs but could genuinely place himself among the league’s elite quarterbacks this season. His journey from promising rookie, to injury-plagued question mark, to released veteran, to reborn franchise QB is one of the most surprising storylines in the NFL right now and the adventure in Indianapolis is far from over. For Daniel Jones, this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a new beginning and the Colts are all in for the ride.
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