Daniel Jones, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, just made a massive leap in The Athletic’s latest quarterback rankings, climbing eight spots and snagging the biggest improvement among all his peers. That’s a huge move, right? But here’s the kicker: he’s still ranked 21st overall, putting him squarely in the “below average” category for league starters. It’s wild to think about that kind of progress hitting that kind of ceiling.
The Climb, The Caveat, and The Comeback Story
Jones definitely made waves, not just with that eight-spot jump but also by chalking up the largest year-over-year improvement in average vote, hitting a +1.1. Before his season got sidelined in December, he was setting career bests in yards per attempt, passer rating, and EPA per pass play. An offensive coordinator even said, “I thought he looked broken in New York (with the Giants). I thought he looked functional in Indy. He looked like a 3.” That’s a huge shift in perception! He even pulled in more Tier 2 votes (eight of ’em!) than his entire career combined before this season, which was only six. It’s a testament to the guy’s ability to bounce back, but that “below average” ranking still stares you down.
Shane Steichen: The Mastermind Behind the Turnaround
You can’t talk about Jones’s ascension without giving massive props to Colts coach Shane Steichen. Defensive coordinators who faced Indy couldn’t stop praising his “outstanding game plans.” The word on the street is that Indy “protected Jones” and Steichen “gave him answers.” One defensive coach put it perfectly: “Indy was perfect for him. The best thing he ever could have done was get with Shane.” This coach even went as far as to say Steichen has “the best mix of tempo versus non-tempo, versus huddle calls, versus ‘Hey, listen, this one’s on two, this one’s on three.’ He tells his quarterback how to change the pace of a game, and he does it as well as anybody right now.” Jones proved he could execute that system at a high level. An opposing defensive coordinator even pointed out, “From an intelligence standpoint, getting them in the right plays, going through the right key progressions, that is where Daniel Jones showed he got it.” Talk about a coaching clinic!
The Injury Cloud and What’s Next
The tough part is that Jones’s production dipped later in the season once defenses had more film to study. And then, the injury bug bit hard. A torn right Achilles tendon in December, plus a fractured fibula earlier, limited his mobility and ultimately ended his season. This coincided with the Colts’ late-season collapse, where they went from a strong 8-2 to losing “7 s” after his injuries. One exec is even worried his history of lower-body injuries could “threaten his mobility longer term.” The “glass half full” crowd will tell you that when he was fully healthy in his first year with Steichen, Jones was absolutely in the middle of a career year, leading a “historically elite league offense.” Now, with him practicing without limitations, the question is: can he stay on the field? His health, combined with Steichen’s masterful coaching, is going to dictate everything for the Colts this season. We’re all watching to see if he can truly transcend that “below average” label.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply