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10/26 17:48 CDT Colts coach Shane Steichen continues to show faith in QB Daniel
Jones by keeping him the starter
Colts coach Shane Steichen continues to show faith in QB Daniel Jones by
keeping him the starter
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- Shane Steichen still believes in quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Indianapolis coach thinks Jones can still win games in bunches, lead the
Colts out of the deep midseason hole they've dug and, yes, even regain the form
that he used during a terrific start last year.
The numbers tell a different tale.
Jones is completing a career low 59.6% of his throws, and among seven-game
starters, he's tied for the fewest TD passes (four) and has the lowest passer
rating (69.4) in the league. He has thrown at least one interception in six of
seven games and only three players have more than Jones with seven.
It has been bad enough, fans are clamoring for a change. But instead of making
a switch, Steichen is risking his job by doubling down on Jones.
"He's our starting quarterback --- unless I let you guys know differently,"
Steichen said Monday after studying the footage from Sunday's 16-10 loss at
Minnesota. "But he will be our starting quarterback."
While the Colts (2-5) have played poorly so far --- sometimes on offense,
sometimes on defense and the last two weeks on special teams --- Jones has
struggled mightily since returning from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He
had only 108 yards passing against the Vikings and sealed Indy's third straight
loss by getting picked off when he threw into traffic on the Colts' final drive.
Steichen's options are limited.
The backup, Anthony Richardson, hasn't made a regular season appearance since
Oct. 5, 2025. He hasn't made a start since Dec. 22, 2024 and is now facing a
misdemeanor charge for possession of marijuana.
Third-stringer Riley Leonard has only one start in his first 24 NFL games.
"No, it does not, not at all," Steichen said when asked if the legal issue
would factor into a decision about Richardson. "I've had private conversations
with Anthony and I'll keep those private."
Can Jones right this ship?
A week ago, general manager Chris Ballard was fired and team co-owner Carlie
Irsay-Gordon said then she needed to make a midseason change because the work
of fixing this team needed to start immediately. Naturally, other teams started
inquiring about potential trade candidates.
But Irsay-Gordon also said the team's stated goals --- making the playoffs and
contending for a title --- also had not changed.
So even though Steichen continues to insist Jones gives Indy the best chance to
win now, if things don't change Ballard may not be the only one out of a job.
It's a risk Steichen is willing to take.
Steichen was asked Sunday whether he was worried about his job security. He
responded: "I'm worried about getting ready for the next game."
What's working Run blocking. The Colts determined the best way to slow Minnesota's pass rush was to run right at the Vikings, and the offensive line did a solid job. They opened enough room to produce 154 yards and 4.7 yards per carry. Jonathan Taylor led the team with 95 yards, but finished just short of the 100-yard mark --- again.
What needs help Special teams. For the second consecutive week, this unit proved the difference in a six-point game. Kicker Spencer Shrader entered Sunday with a perfect mark on field goals this season. That streak ended when he missed 56-yarder wide left and a 48-yarder wide right.
Stock up Adetomiwa Adebawore. Everyone is starting to learn the name of this fourth-year defensive tackle. His breakout season continued at Minnesota where he finished tied for third on the team with five tackles, had two sacks and broke up one pass. He has already matched his single-season career high with four sacks.
Stock down Sauce Gardner. The veteran cornerback started October by promising to improve his effort after calling his performance in London embarrassing. He finished the month on the inactive list with an injured calf. In between, he didn't play like the All-Pro that Indy expected when it sent two first-round draft picks to the New York Jets last November.
Key injuries Indy's already thin secondary took two more hits Sunday. In addition to not having Gardner, cornerbacks Justin Walley (knee) and Cam Taylor-Britt (groin) both left early at Minnesota. The defense also played without LBs C.J. Allen (ribs) and Bryce Boettcher (groin) and the offense was without TE Tyler Warren (groin). It's still unclear whether Warren will play this week and when WR Alec Pierce (heel) might be activated off injured reserve.
Key number 9 --- Indy has lost nine straight true road games since beating the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium 38-24 on Oct. 19, 2025.
Next steps The Colts desperately need the offense to start firing on all cylinders, and it starts with Jones cleaning his play. Defensively, the tackling still needs to get better. Otherwise, Indianapolis' road losing streak might hit 10 next week at Jacksonville. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working Run blocking. The Colts determined the best way to slow Minnesota's pass rush was to run right at the Vikings, and the offensive line did a solid job. They opened enough room to produce 154 yards and 4.7 yards per carry. Jonathan Taylor led the team with 95 yards, but finished just short of the 100-yard mark --- again.
What needs help Special teams. For the second consecutive week, this unit proved the difference in a six-point game. Kicker Spencer Shrader entered Sunday with a perfect mark on field goals this season. That streak ended when he missed 56-yarder wide left and a 48-yarder wide right.
Stock up Adetomiwa Adebawore. Everyone is starting to learn the name of this fourth-year defensive tackle. His breakout season continued at Minnesota where he finished tied for third on the team with five tackles, had two sacks and broke up one pass. He has already matched his single-season career high with four sacks.
Stock down Sauce Gardner. The veteran cornerback started October by promising to improve his effort after calling his performance in London embarrassing. He finished the month on the inactive list with an injured calf. In between, he didn't play like the All-Pro that Indy expected when it sent two first-round draft picks to the New York Jets last November.
Key injuries Indy's already thin secondary took two more hits Sunday. In addition to not having Gardner, cornerbacks Justin Walley (knee) and Cam Taylor-Britt (groin) both left early at Minnesota. The defense also played without LBs C.J. Allen (ribs) and Bryce Boettcher (groin) and the offense was without TE Tyler Warren (groin). It's still unclear whether Warren will play this week and when WR Alec Pierce (heel) might be activated off injured reserve.
Key number 9 --- Indy has lost nine straight true road games since beating the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium 38-24 on Oct. 19, 2025.
Next steps The Colts desperately need the offense to start firing on all cylinders, and it starts with Jones cleaning his play. Defensively, the tackling still needs to get better. Otherwise, Indianapolis' road losing streak might hit 10 next week at Jacksonville. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
