Daniel Jones Secures New Two-Year Deal with Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has signed a two-year contract with the team, superseding a previously extended one-year transition tender.
The new agreement has a base value of $88 million, with an additional $50 million guaranteed at the time of signing. This new deal effectively replaces the transition tag that was set for the 2026 season.
New Two-Year Agreement Details
Jones and the Colts subsequently reached an agreement on this two-year contract.
The new deal's base value of $88 million surpasses the approximately $83.233 million Jones would have earned over two years under the transition tag ($37.833 million for 2026 and an estimated $45.4 million for 2027).
The contract includes a base value of $88 million over two years, with $50 million fully guaranteed at signing. Additionally, it features incentives of up to $6 million annually, potentially increasing the maximum value to $100 million over two years.
Financial Breakdown- 2026: Jones is scheduled to earn $50 million, exclusive of any incentives.
- 2027: Jones is scheduled to earn $38 million, exclusive of any incentives. Of this amount, $10 million is guaranteed for injury at the time of signing and becomes fully guaranteed in March of the following year.
Initial Transition Tender Replaced
The Colts had initially extended a one-year transition tender to Jones, valued at $37.833 million, which was fully guaranteed. At the time of this tender, Jones was in recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
This tender allowed Jones to negotiate with other NFL teams. The Colts retained the right to match any offer sheet presented by another team.
If the Colts chose not to match an offer, the team extending the offer would acquire Jones under those agreed terms.
The Colts also had the option to rescind the transition tender, which could have influenced future compensatory draft pick calculations. If Jones had signed an offer sheet and the Colts did not match, his departure would not have been a factor in the compensatory pick process.
Had Jones accepted only the transition tender, he would have played the 2026 season on the $37.833 million deal, with the Colts retaining the option to use the franchise or transition tag again in 2027.
Context: A Move from the Giants
Prior to these agreements with the Colts, Daniel Jones was benched and subsequently released by the New York Giants during the 2024 season. His previous long-term agreement with the Giants carried an average annual value of $40 million.