Donning a different shade of blue, Daniel Jones was unable to avoid the tag a second time.
The Indianapolis Colts have placed the transition tag on Jones, who's on the comeback trail from a torn Achilles, the team announced on Tuesday.
Jones will receive a fully guaranteed $37.833 million in the upcoming season. The transition tag guarantees the Colts the right of first refusal to match any offer Jones could receive from another team, but should he sign elsewhere, the Colts are not compensated, as they would be with an exclusive or non-exclusive tag.
It's a rare instance as the transition tag isn't often used and hasn't been applied to a quarterback since Jeff George was given it in 1996 by the Atlanta Falcons. George eventually signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal after holding out into training camp.
Indianapolis and Jones will continue to work toward a long-term deal, per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension.
In a situation similar to his days with the New York Giants back in the spring of 2023, Jones was negotiating a multiyear extension while also a tag candidate. Like the Giants' scenario, Jones wasn't the only tag candidate, as standout wide receiver Alec Pierce is now bound for the open market next week if the Colts can't work out an extension. In 2023, the Giants signed Jones and tagged Saquon Barkley. With both players now off the New York roster, it was a decision that's maligned to this day.
Jones' situation is a tricky one considering his injury status. Already playing with a broken fibula, Jones suffered a torn Achilles in December of last year. Thus, there is a very good chance he won't be back for the 2026 season opener.
In place of Jones last season, Indy brought Philip Rivers out of retirement and then went to rookie Riley Leonard when it was eliminated from postseason contention.
Leonard fared well enough that it's conceivable the Colts could stick with him to open the campaign while Jones recuperates. With Anthony Richardson having requested a trade, it would seem likely Indy will need to fill out the room a bit more in the offseason.
However, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen have made it clear they view Jones as their guy to lead the franchise going forward.
Picked sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Giants, Jones had a mercurial stay in Gotham, overflowing with play good, bad and ugly, injuries and a coaching carousel to contend with. Released amid his sixth year with the franchise, Jones had a brief stay with the Minnesota Vikings but saw no game action.
He was signed by the Colts last offseason on a one-year deal to compete with Richardson. He won the QB1 job and never looked back, playing arguably the best he has in his pro career as he spearheaded a 7-1 Colts start.
Jones finished his abbreviated first season with Indy completing 261 of 384 passes (career-best completion percentage of 68) for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, along with five rushing touchdowns.
The Colts sputtered to the finish line, ending the year at 8-9 and out of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
With Ballard and Steichen entering a pivotal season, their confidence in Jones' return to health and his 2025 form is now in ink.
