Chris Ballard Strikes Again: The Indianapolis Colts Are Signing Daniel Jones to a 1-Year, $14M Deal

ESPN - Free agent quarterback Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

Jones had a chance to return to the Minnesota Vikings but now becomes the challenger to 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson for the Colts' starting quarterback job in 2025

And to think Colts fans wanted Chris Ballard fired! They said he didn't have what it takes to make the big move that pushed the Colts over the hump and to the top of the AFC South! That he wouldn't have the balls to sign a younger, more expensive, more injured version of Joe Flacco to compete with Anthony Richardson. What now haters?

But let's be real. For the Colts, I really, really hope this move doesn't mean much of anything. They signed Daniel Jones to a 1-year deal. Obviously they're still holding out hope for Anthony Richardson. We knew that was the case when they brought back Ballard and Steichen. If Anthony Richardson gets hurt again this year, the Colts are going to need a backup. As far as backup quarterbacks go, you could do worse than Daniel Jones. Again, they weren't just going to punt on Richardson and sign an Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, or Russell Westbrook. As someone who enjoys chaos, I would have loved to see the Colts sign Jameis Winston and play this season with the most insanely reckless QB room the NFL has ever seen. But I don't think that was ever really on the table. But I think Daniel Jones is just bad enough that the Colts can still be Anthony Richardson's team to start the season, but good enough that he can give Richardson a someone to compete with for the job. And he might be good enough that when Anthony Richardson inevitably gets sacked and his right arm goes flying into section 218, that maybe Daniel Jones can keep the Colts in contention in a shitty AFC South. On the other hand... he also might be bad enough that we end up with a top 5 pick. 

If it all falls apart once again for the Colts this year, and we finally come to the conclusion that Anthony Richardson does not have what it takes to be the Colts franchise quarterback, then we don't resign Daniel Jones and start from scratch. Hopefully, if the Colts do stink again this season, then Irsay will finally come around on firing Chris Ballard once and for all. Fire Chris Ballard, fire Shane Steichen, and leave the Colts a blank slate for a new regime to come in and build from the ground up. 

Or of course there's always nightmare scenario. The scenario where Anthony Richardson gets hurt and Daniel Jones steps in and leads the Colts to the playoffs. We lose in the first round, but the Colts front office convinces themselves (and Irsay) that Daniel Jones is the guy. We sign him to another, longer contract. We move forward with Ballard and Steichen. But then next year we realize, "Oh that's right... Daniel Jones actually does still suck. Who could have seen that coming?" Then three years later the Colts are still finishing .500-ish every season and we've made absolutely zero progress as a franchise. 

Hopefully that's not the case, but who the hells knows. It has to be Anthony Richardson or bust for this current Colts regime. I've intentionally not mentioned this obvious possibility yet... but if Daniel Jones wins the Colts starting job in camp... for Jim Irsay to give Chris Ballard & Shane Steichen one more shot, and with that shot they decide on Daniel Jones... that would be such a slap in the face to Colts fans. I mean maybe he's got some good seasons in him and they could make a playoff or two. But it's completely punting on the possibility of a Super Bowl. I don't want to live in a world where Daniel Jones is a long-term solution for my team at anything other than backup quarterback or scout team safety. Please don't let that happen Anthony Richardson. Please just get better. Because if the Colts end up deciding by their own volition that Daniel Jones is the guy... that's going to be a sad day. I'd much rather tank with AR to go down that road.