The Daniel Jones Contract Is the ‘Biggest Mistake’ of the Offseason, and the Colts Just Lost Their GM

The Indianapolis Colts are reeling right now, sitting at a brutal 2-4 after a tough loss to the Tennessee Titans. Things got so bad that General Manager Chris Ballard got the axe right after the game. It’s a harsh reality check for the Colts, and while Ballard made plenty of bad moves, the consensus around the league is pointing to one massive blunder that might have sealed his fate.

The Monster Contract That Blew Up

ESPN’s Dan Graziano didn’t mince words, calling the Daniel Jones contract extension the “biggest mistake any team made this offseason.” His verdict? “Not an overreaction.” And honestly, after seeing the team at 2-4, and with Jones making close to $50 million guaranteed on a two-year, $88 million deal, it’s tough to argue. This wasn’t some minor misstep, it was a gigantic gamble that just hasn’t paid off the way the Colts hoped. The deal was supposed to stabilize the quarterback position, but instead, it’s looking like the anchor dragging the whole ship down.

Is There Any Hope Left in Indy?

Graziano didn’t stop there, hitting the Colts with the brutal question: “Could it get better? Sure. Lots of things can happen. But how much better can we really expect things to get in Indy?” That’s the cold, hard truth of it, isn’t it? Even if Jones magically turns into the quarterback he showed he could be in the first half of 2025, the season might already be over for the Colts. There are so many other issues on this roster, and a deep playoff run seems highly unlikely. Ballard’s other recent moves like the Sauce Gardner trade and the Alec Pierce extension also haven’t panned out, adding to the mounting problems. And to top it all off, the Colts don’t even have their 2027 first-round pick. Colts fans are already calling for Jones to be benched after that ugly Titans loss, and you can’t blame them for feeling frustrated.

It’s a rough scene in Indianapolis, plain and simple. With Ballard gone, a huge chunk of change tied up in Jones, and that 2027 first-rounder out the door, the road back for the Colts looks steep. Can Jones even start to turn it around enough to make a difference this year? It feels like the clock’s already run out for this season, no matter what.

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Originally reported by The Sporting News.