Colts sticking with QB Daniel Jones after latest turnover-filled loss to Titans: 'He's got to play better'

Daniel Jones isn't at risk of losing his starting job just yet. Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen, after the Colts' 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, confirmed that Jones will remain his starting quarterback moving forward despite his struggles this season.

"I think he knows he's got to play better," Steichen said. "I've gotta coach better. There's a lot of things, it's not on one guy. But we've got to do a lot of things better."

Jones, who made it back in time to start this fall after his Achilles injury late last season, has not played well in recent weeks. He went just 22-of-42 passing for 269 yards with a touchdown and threw two interceptions in Sunday's loss. Despite the Colts dominating the first half offensively — the unit racked up 232 yards while Indianapolis' defense held Tennessee to just 64 yards in the first two quarters — they had to settle for field goals twice despite being in prime position to find the end zone.

Jones' first interception came inside the red zone in the first quarter after he tried to force a pass to Josh Downs. Though in Jones' defense, Amani Hooker made a remarkable grab before falling out of bounds.

The second pick also came after a productive drive and resulted in a Titans field goal on the other end in the third quarter. The Titans tied the game on an eight-yard pass from Cam Ward to Carnell Tate in the fourth quarter, and then kicked a pair of field goals down the stretch to solidify their six-point win. Jones and the Colts went for it on fourth down on both drives between field goals and failed to convert each time.

Jones now has five interceptions to three touchdowns this season. The loss, Indianapolis' second straight, dropped it to 2-4 on the year. It also snapped a six-game win streak the Colts had over the Titans, and gave Tennessee head coach Robert Slaeh his first win running the team.

"I'm extremely disappointed," Steichen said, via The Athletic's James Boyd . "We've got a lot to fix, and we've gotta fix it in a hurry. Turnovers continue to be an issue, and we've got to handle that better … We've got a lot to clean up and we've got to fix it in a hurry."

Despite the Colts' rough start, Jones clearly still has the starting job under control. If Steichen were to bench him, that would presumably elevate Anthony Richardson Sr. to the starting role. Richardson, who the Colts selected with the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023, has made only 15 starts over his first two seasons while dealing with various injuries. Jones won the starting job over him in training camp last year.

Many expected Richardson to be playing elsewhere this season after the Colts signed Jones to a two-year deal, but a trade never came together.

Jones has proven he is a capable starter in the league. He led the Colts to an 8-2 start last year, after all, and had them in great position to make the playoffs before his injury.

But so far this season, things have not gone well in Indianapolis.