Colts reportedly entertaining Daniel Jones trade discussions ahead of deadline

Multiple teams have inquired about the availability of quarterback Daniel Jones, and the Indianapolis Colts are engaging in those trade talks, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday .

The Minnesota Vikings are speculated to be among the other teams considering Jones, according to the ESPN and NFL Network report, as Jones spent part of the 2024 season in Minnesota and has familiarity with a Kevin O'Connell offense that's struggled with Kyler Murray under center.

Jones is set to start for Indianapolis at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. This past offseason, the Colts inked the 2019 No. 6 overall pick to a two-year, $88 million extension that reportedly included a $44 million signing bonus.

Since, however, Jones — who was coming off a season-ending Achilles tear — hasn't replicated the promising success he achieved during the Colts' 8-2 start to the 2025 campaign, and Indianapolis has moved on from longtime general manager Chris Ballard midseason , embarking on a franchise reset.

On Oct. 27, more than a week following Ballard's firing, the Colts traded Nelson and Buckner. They were two of the organization's longest-tenured players. The six-time All-Pro Nelson went to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. And the two-time All-Pro Buckner landed back with his old team, the San Francisco 49ers , who gave up a 2027 fourth-round draft pick for the interior defensive lineman.

Indianapolis has dropped four games in a row and is 2-6, sitting in third place in an AFC South the Jacksonville Jaguars are running away with.

With Tuesday's trade deadline fast approaching, eyes are on the Colts, who could make their next move imminently under the direction of interim GM Ed Dodds and the supervision of owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon.

As for Jones, it's possible Indianapolis doesn't move him midseason. The Colts are expected to take calls on him through Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, according to the ESPN and NFL Network report that surfaced Saturday.

The report also noted Jones has a $10.51 million injury guarantee for the 2027 season that, if he's still on Indianapolis' roster by March 15, will become fully guaranteed. Jones reportedly could waive that injury guarantee to help complete a potential trade.

Or, if the Colts don't trade him, the injury guarantee could be a reason they ultimately bench him, so they don't risk injury and, in turn, that $10.51 million guarantee.