Daniel Jones’ shocking production this season could be another sign of the NFL’s newest QB trend.
As a first-round draft pick who was cast aside by his original team, Jones went into last offseason with no direct path to claiming another starting job. The New York Giants released him midway through 2024, and he spent the remainder of the season on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before joining the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal to compete with Anthony Richardson.
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Of course, Jones’ MVP-caliber performance to date — a 71.2 completion percentage, 2,062 yards, 13 touchdowns, three interceptions, four rushing scores and a league-best 7-1 record for Indianapolis — has validated the Colts’ decision to unseat Richardson. And big picture, Jones joins Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Mac Jones as quarterbacks who have endured similar journeys and thrived on the other side, rewriting their own narratives. And because so much of their bounce-back successes occurred on budget-friendly contracts, the QBs have also represented extraordinary value to their teams.
“If you aren’t in position to draft and develop a guy,” a team executive said, “it makes a lot of sense to try one of these bridge options if you feel confident enough in your system and the roster.
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