JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Daniel Jones limped from the field into the tunnel leading to the dejected Indianapolis Colts locker room He was wet from the rain, disheveled, and a couple of hours ago he had suffered a ruptured Achilles in his right arm. The facial expression he wore after Sunday's 36-16 loss. To Jacksonville Jaguars was a perfect illustration of his team's grim predicament.
The Colts (8-5), already in a slump after starting the season with the NFL's best 7-1 record, now face a long list of tough questions after Jones' serious injury. Torn Achillessuffered by ESPN's Adam Schefter Jones could take as long as a year to fully recover, raising pressing questions surrounding the future of the position in Indianapolis. And with the Colts' season falling apart, what could a disappointing ending mean for the team's management, its veteran players and everyone involved?
With Jones facing season-ending surgery and months of rehab, here are the big questions that have arisen from Jones' devastating injury.
What will happen in the near future?
For now, backup for newbies Riley Leonard takes the reins into his own hands, and this puts the Colts in a difficult position. Leonard was a sixth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame and the team viewed him as a developing quarterback. He was the third man until a scary incident involving the quarterback occurred before the game. Anthony Richardson Sr.., who suffered a facial orbital fracture after a bandage-related stretching accident in October. Richardson remains on injured reserve.
Leonard has been the No. 2 quarterback ever since. And while he's worked hard and made significant strides (just last week, Leonard spent a late night at Jones' house doing extra game prep), one of the biggest strengths of the Colts offense has been Jones' ability to process situations quickly and accurately and make sound decisions. It will be difficult for Leonard to replicate this given his inexperience.
Against the Jags, Leonard completed 18 of 29 attempts for 145 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Leonard also rushed to score points. But 16 of Leonard's attempts were five yards or less downfield, according to ESPN Research.
Leonard has shown that the game is not too difficult for him, and he will have to show that again if he makes his first start next Sunday away against Seattle Seahawks. Immediately after the game, Leonard was already receiving significant support from his teammates.
“Having guys like that [All-pro guard] Quenton Nelson come to me and tell me you believe in me,” Leonard said. “Everyone on the sideline was so supportive. That's always a good thing for a rookie quarterback.”
What's next for Indy's quarterback?
The Colts had internal discussions about extending Jones' contract long before they became the hottest rusher in the NFL. Through eight games, the Colts were 7–1, averaging six more points than any other team and gaining 6.5 yards per play, good for one of the highest marks in franchise history.
Jones was the key to unlocking it all with his efficiency, accurate passing and execution of coach Shane Steichen's smart schemes. Jones seemed to be the answer to the Colts' years of insecurity at quarterback. But now everything about his future is in doubt.
He is scheduled to become a free agent in the spring when his one-year contract expires. But at this point he will be far from returning to the field, and his status next season is questionable at best.
Will the Colts take a chance on him and sign him to a shortened contract? Are they looking elsewhere? Can they even count on him in 2026?
Those answers are still a long way off, but the impression Jones made on the Colts was clear in the reaction to his injury.
“This is the leader of our group,” the receiver. Alec Pierce said. “This is the captain of our team. Everything goes through him. It was cruel.”
It's worth noting that Richardson remains under contract through 2026. His future was in question after he lost a preseason position battle with Jones. But Sunday's events could change things for him. Richardson showed improvement in training camp and is still just 23 years old.
What if the season fails?
In many ways the situation is already falling apart. The Colts entered Sunday tied for first place in the AFC South division, but Jacksonville (9-4) is now in sole possession of first place in the division. After the defeat, the Colts dropped to the periphery of the standings.
So, after a great start in which Indianapolis has the best record in the NFL, how will a failure down the stretch affect the people leading the team?
The futures of general manager Chris Ballard and Steichen were in question after going 8-9 last season. But late owner Jim Irsay, who died in May, agreed to give the couple another chance in 2025.
Losing a starting quarterback in Week 14 with the playoffs still close certainly complicates the evaluation process. But things were going downhill even before Jones' injury. Nothing that has happened in recent weeks reflects well on the team's leadership, and it will be a difficult assessment if the Colts can't finish strong in their remaining games against the Seahawks, 49ers Jaguars and Texans. The overall record of these teams is 39-14.
What are the consequences of a change of ownership?
The subplot to all of this is that all the tough decisions the Colts have to make will be made by different decision makers.
Irsay's eldest daughter, Carly Irsay-Gordon, and her sisters Casey Voigt and Kalen Jackson are now the majority owners. How they will perceive what happened is unknown. Jim Irsay was often prone to emotional and drastic decisions, but his daughters are considered much more pragmatic.
But no matter how they decide to proceed, the Colts are not in an optimal situation. Jones' injury is compounded by the absence of the 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks the team recently traded for New York Jets for the defender Gardner sauce in a bid to make the playoffs this season.
The Colts will also have to navigate the future of key players. Pierce and defense Kwity Paye enters free agency, receiver Michael Pittman Jr.Salary cap. jumped to $29 million and keeps coming back Jonathan Taylor subject to renewal (2026 is the final season of his contract).
A single injury has led to many questions with no immediate answers.
