Colts Place Transition Tag on QB Daniel Jones

Jones to earn $37.833 million in 2026 as Colts look to secure their starting QB

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Indianapolis Colts have placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, guaranteeing him $37.833 million for the 2026 season. The transition tag allows Jones to negotiate with other teams, but the Colts can match any offers from other clubs. Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles but is expected to be fully healthy by the start of the season.

Why it matters

The Colts are committed to Jones as their starting quarterback, even with his recent injury. By using the transition tag, they ensure they can retain him while also giving him the opportunity to explore other options. This move also signals the Colts' intention to trade or release quarterback Anthony Richardson, fully committing to Jones as their QB1.

The details

Jones, 28, started 13 games for the Colts in 2025, passing for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions for a 100.2 passer rating. He also rushed for 5 touchdowns. The Colts are confident in Jones' recovery from the torn Achilles, with general manager Chris Ballard stating that Jones is "on track" and past the "danger zone" of the injury.

  • The Colts placed the transition tag on Jones before the Tuesday, March 4th, 2026 deadline for teams to use roster-management tagging maneuvers.
  • Jones is currently 7-8 weeks into his recovery from the torn Achilles injury.

The players

Daniel Jones

The 28-year-old quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, who is recovering from a torn Achilles injury.

Chris Ballard

The general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, who expressed confidence in Jones' recovery from the Achilles injury.

Anthony Richardson

The Colts' quarterback who is expected to be traded or released as the team fully commits to Daniel Jones as their starting QB.

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What they’re saying

“He's on track. With the Achilles, it's the three-month mark where you're kind of past the danger zone. What is he at now? Seven weeks, eight weeks. Y'all have been around Daniel enough to know, he's pretty diligent in everything he does. You almost have to bring him back a little bit, but we feel good enough about where he's at and where he's going.”

— Chris Ballard, General Manager, Indianapolis Colts (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Colts will now have the opportunity to match any offers Jones receives from other teams during the free agency period. They will also need to decide whether to trade or release quarterback Anthony Richardson as they fully commit to Jones as their starting QB.

The takeaway

The Colts' decision to place the transition tag on Daniel Jones demonstrates their confidence in him as their long-term starting quarterback, despite his recent Achilles injury. This move ensures they can retain Jones while also giving him the opportunity to explore other options, showcasing the team's commitment to building around him as they look to the future.