The AFC South could be up for grabs next season. The Houston Texans remain the team to beat after winning the division title the past two years. That said, the Jacksonville Jaguars have enough talent to potentially challenge them. On the other hand, both division foes will need to look over their shoulder, as the Indianapolis Colts could suddenly become a threat.
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus points out that as underwhelming as Indy was in 2024, it still was in the thick of the playoff race until late in the season and improved quarterback play could get them over the hump.
"Despite their inconsistent quarterback play, the Colts were in position last season for a playoff spot until a defensive collapse against the New York Giants in Week 17," Wasserman wrote. "Even with that poor effort, the team's defense tied for ninth in the NFL in PFF grade. That unit and a stacked supporting cast on offense should make life easy for whoever the starting quarterback will be."
That's where Daniel Jones comes in. The 2019 first-round pick signed with the Colts after more than four years with the New York Giants and a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings last season. He was brougth in to push Anthony Richardson, and based on remarks by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, he's making the most of his chances.
"Daniel Jones has had a really nice spring, by all accounts, in picking up Shane Steichen's offense in Indy. Even if Anthony Richardson is cleared for the start of training camp, he may be chasing Jones for the Colts' starting job," Breer said.
Back in 2023, Jones signed a multi-year extension with the G-Men but struggled so badly last season that he was benched in favor of Tommy DeVito. He was eventually given the boot and landed on the Vikings' practice squad.
Meanwhile, Richardson is out while recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered during Organized Team Activities. For context, the injury is on the same AC he previously hurt. Since being drafted fourth overall, the third-year quarterback has failed to stay healthy and struggled with consistency. In fact, his lack of availability led the Colts to sign Danny Dimes.
Why Daniel Jones and the Colts could be a threat for the Jaguars next season
Daniel Jones isn't a top-10 quarterback, but he's a solid game manager who was in need of a fresh start. On the other hand, the Indianapolis Colts couldn't perpetually wait for Anthony Richardson. This made them an ideal pairing.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard is under pressure to deliver after several underwhelming draft classes. Not surprisingly, he spared no expense to sign cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum in free agency. If the moves pan out, their defense should be much better. This will, in turn, take some pressure off Daniel Jones, who will be tasked with getting the ball to his playmakers and avoiding making mistakes.
It's also worth noting that the Indianapolis offense isn't devoid of talent. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren could become Jones' trusted target, and the wide receiver trio of Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and Michael Pittman Jr. is nothing to scoff at. If that wasn't enough, Jonathan Taylor proved in 2024 that he's back at full strength after dealing with injuries in recent years.
When you add it all up, the Indianapolis Colts have enough talent to keep up with the rest of the AFC South. While they're not the favorites, they certainly have a fighting chance, and the Jacksonville Jaguars can't afford to take them lightly.