Daniel Jones’ leg injury that derailed his 2025 career-resurrecting season has also sparked uncertainty about his future. With a recovery timeline of six to eight months and a one-year contract nearing its end, his time with the Indianapolis Colts might be limited. However, teammate Michael Pittman Jr. recently made it very clear that the team will do whatever it takes to keep the signal-caller around. 

“I’m very confident that they’re going to do whatever it takes,” he said via FOX59’s Brett Bensley. “And I think that that’s wise, because everybody loves Dan. The way that he works, the way that he shows up, I don’t know a lot of guys that can play through a broken leg. It wasn’t just, well, I might be saying too much, it was really broken. It wasn’t nothing light. I’ve seen those scans, and I’m like, oh sh–. He’s a tough guy, and we definitely need that.”

Bensley’s update about Daniel Jones’ future becomes important because the quarterback will be a free agent this summer. His one-year, $14 million contract is set to expire, and the timing hasn’t been kind. In December, Jones tore his Achilles tendon during the Week 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. The health scare never allowed him to step onto the field again.

What made things worse was the fact that he had already been pushing through a fibula injury on his left leg before he hurt the other one. Despite everything, Jones remained involved even when his rehabilitation had barely begun. The move received a nod from head coach Shane Steichen.

“He’s in every meeting,” he said before the season finale. “…He comes to every practice. He’s always around. Still in the QB meetings. Off days, he’s in the QB room, studying the tape, preparing, even though he’s not playing… So, he’s still fully engaged.”

According to Jones, he has learned a great deal from Steichen and other coaches, and he’s very “appreciative.” The quarterback’s presence and what the HC said speak volumes about interest from both sides. And mind you, Jones was enjoying the best stretch of his career. In thirteen appearances, he recorded his best production in three years with 3,101 passing yards, a career-high 8.1 yards per attempt, and a 68% completion rate.

The Colts’ offense thrived under him, sitting among the league’s best in various categories. Before the injury, Daniel Jones looked like he would land a lucrative deal. But amid the setback that raises plenty of questions, he just received a promising update.

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Daniel Jones becomes PFF’s top free-agent QB

Since legendary Andrew Luck’s 2019 retirement, the Colts have struggled to find an offensive leader who can bring stability at center. After basking in the glory of Peyton Manning and Luck, they had to make constant changes. The team started eleven different quarterbacks over the last six seasons. This season, injuries to Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson weighed heavily on the team.

It even prompted them to pull Philip Rivers out of retirement. In such a daunting scenario, the team will undoubtedly prioritize the quarterback position this offseason. And Jones can be their savior, but re-signing him raises a major question about his value. Pro Football Focus recently projected the top free agent at every position, and Jones topped the list at quarterback.

According to analyst Mason Cameron, the player is expected to land a four-year, $174.39 million contract. It means he would receive an average annual salary of $43.60 million, making him the league’s 16th-highest-paid quarterback.

“While a season-ending Achilles injury will likely influence his potential earnings, there is precedent for passers signing lucrative contracts despite suffering the same injury,” Cameron added. 

He pointed out to QB Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal just months after tearing his Achilles. Additionally, the Colts’ general manager, Chris Ballard, remains optimistic about Jones’ recovery.

“I do feel confident that he will make it back,” he said. “Will he be the version you saw right away? Maybe not, but he’s still going to be really good. I think as he goes along and plays, he’ll be fine.”

The 2025 season’s first half reignited hopes in the organization, and giving Daniel Jones another shot could help them recreate the magic.