As expected, the Indianapolis Colts are bringing back quarterback Daniel Jones. Can he power the team to the playoffs in 2026?<\/p>\n
Indianapolis re-signed<\/a> Jones to a two-year, $88M deal. Yes, that\u2019s a lot of money for a player who has a history of injuries. But it\u2019s not like the Colts had a ton of options out there.<\/p>\n In 2025, Jones played like an MVP candidate during the first part of the season. Unfortunately, though, he tore his right Achilles on December 7 against the Jacksonville Jacksonville Jaguars, ending his campaign early.<\/p>\n Jones is eyeing<\/a> a Week 1 return, which is certainly what Colts fans want to hear. Indy fans, of course, also want to see their team make the postseason.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>New York Giants<\/a> selected Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was supposed to develop into the team\u2019s franchise QB. But that never quite came to fruition.<\/span><\/p>\n Jones did have a good season, though, in 2022. That year, he threw for 3,2015 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for 708 yards and seven scores. More importantly, Jones led the Giants to the postseason. He even helped the team win a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 performance in 2022 landed him a massive $160 million<\/a> contract extension. Unfortunately, his career went downhill after that. In 2024, the Giants benched him and subsequently released him. He signed with the Vikings, although he never played a game for them as he backed up Sam Darnold.<\/p>\n Last offseason, the Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal. Anthony Richardson<\/a>, whom the team drafted fourth overall in 2023, was expected to be the starter for the 2025 season. However, Jones won the job in training camp.<\/p>\n Jones and star running back Jonathan Taylor led Indianapolis to an impressive 8-2 start. Yet, everything crumbled into pieces as the team lost its final seven games and missed the playoffs.<\/p>\n The Colts haven\u2019t made the playoffs since the 2020 season. That was back when Philip Rivers<\/a> was the quarterback (his first stint). Yes, that was a long time ago.<\/p>\n Indianapolis almost made it during the 2023 campaign, but lost to the Houston Texans in the regular-season finale.<\/p>\n Early last season, the Colts looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders before their monumental collapse. The team can finally end their playoff drought in 2026 if Daniel Jones can return to form and play like he did before their monumental collapse injury. Plus, Taylor must return to his MVP form as well.<\/p>\nWill Daniel Jones Lead the Colts to the Playoffs in 2026?<\/h2>\n
Looking Back at His Career<\/h3>\n
Is a Playoff Appearance Realistic?<\/h3>\n