Colts quarterback trade talks for Jones
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The gist
The 2-6 Colts have received calls from multiple teams about trading quarterback Daniel Jones and are willing to listen.
Jones is slated to start Sunday, but the deadline could reshape Indianapolis's roster and finances.
Background
Daniel Jones is the Colts' starting quarterback, signed in March to a two-year, $88 million contract with a $44 million signing bonus. Indianapolis Colts are 2-6 and open to trade conversations about him, with the team interested in stockpiling draft capital and reducing financial risk. Talk picked up after Jones was benched in the fourth quarter of a Nov. 2 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in favor of Anthony Richardson.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2, 2026Colts benched Jones in the fourth quarter for Anthony Richardson in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars; Jones went 19-for-28 for 144 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, one returned for a score.
- Nov 3, 2026Pro Football Talk's Chris Simms and Mike Florio questioned whether the Colts could trade Jones, and reports linked him to the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings.
- Nov 4, 2026ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted Jones was at least on the trade radar, while the Ravens were finalizing a trade for Jacoby Brissett.
- Nov 7, 2026League sources told NFL Network and ESPN the Colts had received calls from multiple teams about Jones and were willing to listen; he was slated to start Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, with calls expected through Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Key terms
- quarterback
- An offensive football position whose player usually lines up behind the line and leads the offense, often throwing passes.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Head coach Shane Steichen said "Daniel gives us the best chance to win right now," though after the Jaguars loss he said everything was up for evaluation, including the QB1 job.
- Analysts
- Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said the Colts should explore trading Jones rather than benching him because he won't be there in 2027, and argued the Vikings should trade for him as an upgrade over Kyler Murray.
- Support
- Long-time Colts reporter Mike Chappell agreed with the idea of trading Jones, saying any move to help the future could be worth it.
Still unverified
Speculation has included the Minnesota Vikings as a possible Jones destination. Sources also said it's possible Jones could waive the $10.51 million injury guarantee if he wanted to play for another franchise.