Daniel Jones is no stranger to pressure. After years of public criticism during his tenure with the New York Giants, the quarterback was cast off by much of the league as a failed experiment.
But less than two months into the 2025 season, Jones is proving he still belongs and may have finally found the perfect place to thrive in Indianapolis.
Now leading the Colts to a 6-1 record, Jones is playing the best football of his career, and those closest to him in the locker room are beginning to question the harsh narratives that followed him out of New York.
One of the most vocal supporters? Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who believes Jones was misjudged by both fans and the media.
“I never understood the hate”: Pittman defends Daniel Jones
Pittman, one of Jones’ top targets this season, spoke candidly about the quarterback’s reputation during an interview on Mad Dog Sports Radio. What he said was less about football and more about character.
“When he came in, obviously, there was a bunch of negative media,” Pittman said. “I always thought of Daniel as a good quarterback.
“He just wasn’t in a great system to help him succeed… He’s a great dude, a great teammate, a guy that you love to be around inside the building and outside of the building.”
The wide receiver added that his experience working with Jones in Indianapolis has been completely different than the perception he had from watching him in New York.
What Pittman sees now is a resilient leader who is galvanizing a Colts roster that entered the season with more questions than answers at quarterback.
Jones has certainly answered those questions on the field. Through seven games, he’s completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,790 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
He’s also added four rushing touchdowns and only been sacked six times, a stark contrast from his battered years with the Giants.
Most importantly, Jones has led the Colts to wins. Indianapolis sits atop the AFC with the league’s best record at 6-1, and they’ve already positioned themselves as serious contenders with victories over playoff-caliber teams.
Contract talk looms, but Colts staying focused on wins
Despite Jones’ fast start, there have been no formal discussions about a contract extension.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Colts and Jones are content to let the season play out before initiating talks. That decision likely stems from both sides wanting to avoid distractions as Indianapolis chases a postseason berth – and possibly more.
Jones is currently on a one-year, $14 million deal that he signed after a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings in late 2024. With each passing week, that contract is looking like a bargain.
He’s already doubled his win total from his final two seasons with the Giants and appears more comfortable than ever in Shane Steichen’s system.
There are also built-in incentives that reward Jones for his performance. For every win in which he plays more than 50 percent of the snaps, Jones earns an extra $100,000. If the Colts reach 10 wins, he gets another $1 million bonus.
Should he continue playing at this level, any long-term deal would likely include significant guaranteed money.
Comparisons have already been drawn to quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100 million deal after a career revival with the Vikings. While Jones may not reach that exact number, it’s becoming harder to envision a scenario where Indianapolis lets him walk.
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