Colts seek long-term deal with Daniel Jones with tag deadline looming
The going charge for Indianapolis Colts‘peace of thoughts is about $6 million as of late.
That’s the distinction between the non-exclusive franchise tag for the quarterback and the hardly ever used transition tag, and the Colts have till Tuesday afternoon to make their choice.
The Colts and quarterback Daniel Jones are nonetheless attempting to come back to an settlement on a long-term contract earlier than the 4 pm ET Tuesday tag deadline, sources inform CBS Sports. Without a deal in place, the Colts must tag Jones to make sure the flexibility to proceed negotiating with him earlier than the beginning of unrestricted free company.
The franchise tag would just about lock Jones into Indianapolis for 2026, however the transition tag opens the door for an additional group to get him from Indy.
The non-exclusive franchise tag is ready at $43.895 million for Jones. That’s an enormous quantity for the Colts to carry on the cap, and it will imply vast receiver Alec Pierce would possible take a look at free company subsequent week. Because groups are loath to barter offers for opponents, and since it is illogical for a membership to commerce two first-round picks for a quarterback coming off an Achilles damage like Jones, this can be very unlikely any group would try and wrestle Jones away from Indianapolis on the franchise tag.
The transition tag is available in at $37,833 million. It would give Indy $6 million extra to work with forward of free company and would assist the group in retaining Pierce. But the transition tag would additionally enable groups to hammer out a contract for Jones that might not require any draft-pick compensation. The Colts would nonetheless be capable to match any supply sheet Jones will get, however a group may use the time to place collectively a deal Indy wouldn’t be capable to match for any given cause. If, after 5 days, the Colts didn’t match the supply sheet, Jones would go to the opposite group and the Colts can be left with a non-viable beginning quarterback possibility in Week 1.
What’s extra, the supply from one other group may come at any level between the issuance of the transition tag and the third week of July. So, in idea, this might dangle over Indy’s heads for months.
One league supply believes the Colts are taking a calculated threat in the event that they use the transition tag on Jones. The former Giants quarterback would not signal a suggestion sheet from simply wherever — suppose the Jets — and groups just like the Cardinals and Dolphins might not have the cash to get a deal executed with Jones. On high of all that, groups could also be cautious of seeking to lock up a quarterback they do not know coming off a serious damage.
But the Minnesota Vikings are lurking. Multiple sources have indicated the Vikings are carefully monitoring the state of affairs with Indy and Jones. While the Vikings do not have the cap house proper now and would want some cap gymnastics to clear sufficient house to convey him into the fold, the idea is that the Vikings may shift into gear after Tuesday’s deadline if the Colts do not subject a tag on Jones.
Jones spent a part of the 2024 season with the Vikings after getting his launch from the Giants. Minnesota is out there for a veteran quarterback after a foul 12 months from former No. 10 total decide J. J. McCarthyand there is mutual respect between Jones and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Sources have indicated for months that it was no assure Jones would return to Indianapolis. The quarterback enjoys the teaching employees, and the continuity with the employees on this offseason helped. But each GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen determine to enter the 2026 season on the recent seat, whereas O’Connell is on a lot firmer footing in Minnesota.
There is not any apparent backup plan in Indianapolis if the Colts lose Jones. Anthony Richardsonthe previous franchise QB, is hoping for a contemporary begin elsewhere, and league sources count on the Colts to get not more than a fifth-round decide again wherever they ship Richardson.
Kyle Murray and Tua Tagovailoa are anticipated to be launched within the coming days, and groups may signal both participant for the veteran minimal. It is unclear whether or not the Raiders would half with Gene Smithand a league supply advised CBS Sports final week they may see Kirk Cousins taking him time to resolve on a touchdown spot relatively than signing instantly in the beginning of free company.
The Tuesday afternoon deadline is shaping as much as be some of the consequential time intervals in latest Colts historical past.
