The Indianapolis Colts have engaged in trade discussions involving quarterback Daniel Jones, according to league sources who spoke with NFL Network and ESPN. Those conversations come as Indianapolis also discusses possible deals involving running back Jonathan Taylor.
Multiple teams have called the Colts to inquire about acquiring Jones. Indianapolis has been willing to listen to offers while preparing for Jones to start Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Baltimore Ravens were among the teams that checked on Jones. Baltimore ultimately chose to trade for former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, but league sources said the Ravens were not the only club to contact Indianapolis.
Speculation also has involved the Minnesota Vikings, a team with which Jones has history. The source described Minnesota as having a Super Bowl caliber defense and said the Vikings should not be ruled out.
Indianapolis preferred to wait until this week before considering any potential Jones trade, according to league sources. The Colts also have not decided that they will move the quarterback.
As with several players on the Indianapolis roster, the Colts are said to be open to conversations about Jones. They are not interested in moving players unless they view the offers as fair.
The Colts are expected to continue taking calls about Jones through Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. Indianapolis is interested in adding as much draft capital as possible while also reducing financial risks.
A significant contractual detail involves Jones’ $10.51 million injury guarantee for the 2027 season. That guarantee becomes fully guaranteed March 15 if Jones remains on the Colts’ roster.
The Colts are 2-6, and the guarantee could become a consideration if the team is eliminated from playoff contention. Indianapolis might not want to expose Jones to an injury and risk the $10.51 million guarantee, making a potential benching part of the discussion.
Sources also said Jones could waive the injury guarantee on the $10.51 million if he wanted to play for another franchise. That possibility would depend on Jones wanting such a move.
Indianapolis could choose to trade Jones before the injury guarantee becomes an even larger issue. The Colts signed him to a two year, $88 million contract in March that included a $44 million signing bonus.
Colts coach Shane Steichen offered Jones a vote of confidence this week. Steichen said, “Daniel gives us the best chance to win right now.”
The wording of that statement also drew attention, particularly Steichen’s use of “right now.” According to the source, the phrase left open questions about what could happen later, and other teams noticed it.
Jones’ potential availability could attract calls from any team dealing with a quarterback question or injury. The possibility also remains that another team could lose a quarterback to injury this weekend.
The Ravens faced that situation last weekend when Lamar Jackson and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley were injured. Both quarterbacks subsequently landed on injured reserve, and Baltimore traded for Brissett after checking with Indianapolis about Jones.
For now, Jones is slated to start against Dallas while the Colts continue evaluating their options. Indianapolis can listen through the deadline without committing to a deal, and its position remains tied to receiving what it considers a fair offer.