The Indianapolis Colts have been among the most active teams in the league ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, and their work may not be finished. After already dealing away Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, there is a real possibility that quarterback Daniel Jones could be the next player out the door.
According to ESPN, multiple teams have called Indianapolis about Jones' availability, and the Colts have been open to hearing any offer. That is no guarantee a deal gets done, but it makes Jones one of the most prominent names to monitor before the deadline arrives.
Not long ago, Jones appeared to be the franchise's quarterback of the future. Last season, he helped power the Colts to a 7-1 start before injuries wrecked his year. He tore his Achilles in Week 13 and missed the final four games. Even so, Indianapolis handed him an extension in March that included $50 million in guaranteed money, most of which has already been paid out through a $44 million signing bonus.
That contract structure means an acquiring team would take on very little financial burden, which could make Jones an attractive option. The catch is that the list of realistic suitors is short. ESPN's report noted that the Ravens had inquired about him, but Baltimore ultimately traded for Jacoby Brissett instead.
With Baltimore out of the picture, one team stands above the rest as a sensible destination: the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has raced to a 6-1 start behind one of the best defenses in the NFL, but that unit is being undermined by an offense that simply cannot move the ball.
The Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason hoping he would ignite the attack, and it has not worked. He has started six games without being effective, and a hamstring injury will keep him sidelined this week. Minnesota's passing game is averaging just 165.6 yards per contest, the second-worst mark in the league.
Carson Wentz is set to make his second start of the season in Week 9. His first came in Week 2 after Murray suffered a concussion, and he completed only 55 percent of his passes for 143 yards with no touchdowns. He did look sharp filling in during Week 1, though, throwing three touchdown passes in a 39-22 win over the Packers. If Wentz can deliver a win over the 6-1 Buffalo Bills on Monday night, Minnesota might reconsider chasing Jones, but a shaky performance could push the Vikings to act, especially with J.J. McCarthy already traded away.
There is also a familiarity factor working in Minnesota's favor. Head coach Kevin O'Connell knows Jones well from the quarterback's 2024 season with the Vikings, who wanted him back before he signed with Indianapolis because he believed he had a clearer path to a starting job there.
Either way, the Colts will be a team to watch through Tuesday. Along with Jones, star running back Jonathan Taylor could also be moved, though there is no certainty that happens.
