The Colts were already headed for an expensive negotiation with Daniel Jones before his season-ending Achilles injury. That both complicated contract talks and delayed a final decision until some clarity emerged on the veteran quarterback’s recovery.
Indianapolis placed the transition tag on Jones at the beginning of March – almost three months after his December injury. That milestone is considered a crucial one in the rehab process, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder, as the incision is healed and the success of the surgery can be better evaluated.
Dr. Martin O’Malley, who performed Jones’ surgery, examined him at the three-month mark, as did the Colts’ doctors. With their approval, the team finalized the two-year, $88MM deal that had been in the works for weeks as both sides awaited medical updates.
The Colts keeping Jones seemed like a foregone conclusion and the best outcome for both sides. Indianapolis was able to constantly monitor Jones’ condition from the time he was injured, but other teams would have less information and potentially less confidence in his recovery.
By staying put, the 28-year-old can continue working with the same medical and coaching staff as he rehabs and prepares for next season. He will not have to deal with the mental and physical rigors of finding a new home in free agency, moving to another state, and getting settled in a different offense.
That last part is especially crucial. The Colts are hopeful hat Jones will be back early in the regular season, if not for Week 1, but he will not be a full participant in their offseason program or training camp. His familiarity with his scheme and teammates in Indianapolis will allow him to slide back into the starting lineup as soon as he is healthy, but that would be much more difficult in a new offense.
It’s still very hard to expect a QB to be close to full capacity his first season returning from an Achilles. Huge amount of money to give a rehabbing player based on the best eight game stretch of his career, especially when his game relies heavily on his mobility.
I don’t think they or fans can expect much of anything from him this season as the injury happened late last season. They’re banking on him returning to last years form by ‘28.
That means guaranteeing an awful lot of money to have a guy with his track record two years from now. I don’t envy the situation they were in, but I wouldn’t have gone so hard.
Timeline of a franchise tag on Taylor lines up though. Either they improve a lot or ‘28 is a complete reset and they’ll have a first rounder again.
Take notes aiyuk
With a running back like JT, and an offensive line that is top 5 in the league, he just needs to be smart with the ball. They resigned his deep threat, which is what you really want as JT opens that threat up. They lost Pittman Jr, but honestly, he is easily replaceable in the draft or free agency…simply a solid possession receiver…you can probably bring in OBJ for a 1/4 of the cost and get similar results. Just sayin’.
Beckham has 48 total receptions since the Rams won the Super Bowl. I don’t think you’re being realistic there.
I’m surprised the Colts have put their eggs in his basket given his injury history.
Until they replace the reciever that is now in Pittsburgh good luck replicating his numbers again.