Field Level Media
03 Mar 2026, 22:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones might be headed for the franchise tag if he can't reach a contract extension to stay in Indianapolis before Tuesday's deadline for teams to use the roster-management maneuver.
Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles but the risk for the Colts in extending negotiations beyond Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET cutoff for using the franchise tag would be another team signing Jones as a free agent next week.
Indianapolis is expected to trade or release quarterback Anthony Richardson. He formally requested a trade last week as all signs point to the Colts fully committing to Jones.
Health is not a concern in the mind of general manager Chris Ballard where Jones is concerned.
'He's on track,' Ballard said. '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.'
The non-exclusive franchise tag value was set at $43.895 million for quarterbacks, a prohibitive number if the Colts are hoping to bring back unrestricted free agent wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Even with the medical concern to weigh, Jones would drive interest as a free agent. He was with the Vikings at the end of the 2024 season when Sam Darnold piloted Minnesota to the playoffs and 14 wins. Both got out of town and the Vikings are not clear if JJ McCarthy, a first-round pick in 2024, is the long-term answer. The Dolphins, Jets and Cardinals also have a need at the position.
'Daniel and Alec are such big pieces,' Ballard said at the NFL Scouting Combine of using the tag. 'We move and fit from there.'
Using a non-exclusive franchise tag to block Pierce from the exits would be cheaper -- $27.298 for 2026 -- but a risk if Jones hasn't also been secured.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Wisconsin Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Wisconsin Star.
More InformationBUCHAREST, Romania: An appeal by American rapper Wiz Khalifa to annul his nine-month jail sentence for drug possession was rejected...
HONG KONG: Onetime media magnate Jimmy Lai won a rare victory in his legal battles when a Hong Kong appellate court on February 27...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Federal immigration authorities released a Columbia University student a few hours after arresting her early...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Lawyers who previously worked for Luigi Mangione's and Sean Diddy Combs will now represent Harvey Weinstein...
WASHINGTON DC - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. Iran State Media confirmed...
DUBAI, UAE - Loud explosions have been heard in Dubai, while a Pakistani national has been killed by falling debris from a missile...
(Photo credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Colts quarterback Daniel Jones might be headed for the...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Falcons are ticketed for a regular-season game in Madrid this season. Atlanta...
(Photo credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images) The Olympic break didn't slow down the surging Anaheim Ducks, and they will try to continue...
(Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images) The Dallas Stars will be aiming for a perfect 10 when they visit the Calgary Flames on Tuesday....
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images) After nearly experiencing an epic collapse, the Columbus Blue Jackets will try for their...
(Photo credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images) The Orlando Magic will try to find a way to turn first-half promise into second-half performance...
