Why Colts' QB Daniel Jones Was NFL Trade Deadline’s Biggest Winner

A few teams like the Seattle Seahawks got better and the Dallas Cowboys somehow got worse, but the biggest winner of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.

By trading their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to the New York Jets to acquire elite cornerback Sauce Gardner, the Colts signaled that they won't be shopping for a stud signal-caller at the top of the next two drafts.

And with that apparent backing of ownership, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, Jones should be in line for a long-term contract and some serious walking-around money after playing this season on a bargain one-year, $14 million deal.

What a difference a year makes. Last November, the New York Giants benched "Danny Dimes" for Danny DeVito — or maybe it was Tommy DeVito — and later granted their former No. 6 overall pick's request for a release. Jones then latched on with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad for the rest of the season.

Ballard and the Colts brought Jones aboard in March, ostensibly to compete with former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starting job following an 8-9 season.

Not only did Jones win the gig, the 28-year-old is easily on pace for the best statistical season of his seven-year career, and the Colts (7-2) are tied with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos for the best record in football.

Some of Jones' shine wore off in last weekend's 27-20 defeat at Pittsburgh, where he turned it over five times (three picks, two lost fumbles), but Indy still has a two-game lead in the AFC South entering Sunday's game in Berlin against the Atlanta Falcons (3-5).

Jones leads the league with 2,404 passing yards and has 14 touchdown passes against six interceptions. He has also rushed for five touchdowns and is a legit MVP candidate. This week at DraftKings, he had the same MVP odds (+2500) as quarterbacks Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers and Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.

Jones and the Colts were energized by the team's move to bring in the two-time All-Pro Gardner to shore up their secondary, even though it cost two top picks and 2024 second-round wideout Adonai Mitchell.

"I think they obviously believe in our team and (what) we can do this year," Jones said. "This year, we've played well. There's still a lot in front of us and we've got to continue to improve and play well week to week.

"But we as players, when you see that movement from ownership, from management and the coaches, I think it definitely gives you confidence."

Spoken like a man who knows his team won't be in the market this April for Alabama's Ty Simpson, Oregon's Dante Moore or South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers.

If Jones and the Colts continue their resurgence, his new deal could be in the range of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed after leading the Giants to the playoffs in 2022.

The Colts will also have to decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option on Richardson's rookie contract this spring. His cap hit in year four of his rookie deal in 2026 is $10.8 million.

Injuries and inconsistency have derailed Richardson, 23, so far. Of the 45 QBs to make at least 10 NFL starts since 2023, his 50.6 completion percentage ranks dead last — Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr. is second-worst at 59.9% and everyone else is above 60%.

And that makes Richardson potentially the biggest loser from this week's trade deadline.