NFC Contender Emerges as Shocking Landing Spot for Daniel Jones in Free Agency
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
If the Indianapolis Colts make the surprise decision to let Daniel Jones enter free agency, he would undoubtedly be the top quarterback to hit the open market.
Daniel Jones was in the middle of a career year with the Colts before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis was 8-4 going into that game but lost five in a row to finish 8-9, missing the playoffs for the ninth straight year.
The desperate Colts even brought a 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement, even though he hadn’t played in five years. Rivers fared better than many expected, but the Colts were just never the same team without “Danny Dimes.”
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports listed Jones as the No. 3 free agent in the 2026 class. Pereles had Indianapolis as the ideal landing spot for Jones, though he also listed the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings as potential suitors.
The Vikings picked up Jones after his release from the New York Giants in the midst of the 2024 season. He didn’t play a snap, though, with Sam Darnold holding down the starting job in a career year.
If Daniel Jones Is Available, The Vikings Need To Pursue Him
It would be a surprise if the Colts didn’t at least franchise tag Daniel Jones. By doing so, Indy would have him under club control for at least the 2026 season.
But if the Colts tag Daniel Jones and decide to trade him, or if he inexplicably hits the open market? The Vikings certainly stand out as the ideal landing spot for the 2019 first-round pick.
Minnesota needs to bring in competition for JJ McCarthy after a frustrating 2025 season. If Jones could have a career year in Indianapolis, imagine what he would do in an offense with Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison.
Before his injury, Jones had a 68.0 completion percentage for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions and five rushing touchdowns. That’s the type of production that would help Minnesota re-emerge as an NFC heavyweight.
