Daniel Jones update paves way for former top five pick to join contested NFC North QB battle

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has been fully cleared to participate in training camp.

After leading Indianapolis to an 8-2 start last season, Jones sustained a hairline fibula fracture but vowed to play while injured.

Getty

Jones would later tear his Achilles in his other leg, putting an end to his 2025 season, and the Colts’ were forced to turn to veteran Phillip Rivers, who came out of retirement, before missing out on the playoffs.

With training camp starting this week, Jones appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and confirmed that it is all-systems go for 2026.

“I’m feeling good, it’s been a good summer and I am ready to get back into it,” Jones told McAfee.

“Im feeling good, the plan is to be back in 11-on-11, full team drills on Wednesday when we start practice.

“To be back out there with the guys, I am excited to get rolling. Feeling really good and rehab has been good to this point.

“There is still some work to do as we get ready for Week 1 but feeling great with where I am.”

Following his release from the New York Giants, and a short stint on the Minnesota Vikings‘ roster, the Duke product signed with the Colts as a free agent in March 2025.

He played some of the best football of his career with Indianapolis, throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, adding five scores on the ground.

The Colts rewarded Jones’ resurgent 2025, handing him a two-year, $88 million extension in the offseason.

With Jones declaring himself healthy for 2026, Anthony Richardson continues to face an uncertain future within the organization.

Getty

Getty

Daniel Jones update could lead to Anthony Richardson leaving

The Indianapolis Colts took Richardson with the fourth overall pick in 2023.

Over 15 NFL games, Richardson has completed 50.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

He’s also added 635 rushing yards and ten touchdowns on the ground.

Richardson has been linked with a move away from the Colts since Jones beat him to the starting role last season, and one team facing its own quarterback battle has emerged as a potential destination.

The Minnesota Vikings.

“While [J.J.] McCarthy remains a bit of an unknown, the Indianapolis Colts largely know what they have in 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote.

“The 24-year-old Florida product is loaded with physical potential but remains a raw signal-caller with a career 67.8 quarterback rating.

Getty

“Richardson’s top options might even include Minnesota if the Vikings are indeed out on McCarthy.

“According to (NFL Insider Cameron) Wolfe, Minnesota was interested in Richardson before getting the opportunity to add Murray.”

McCarthy and former Arizona Cardinals hurler Kyler Murray are currently doing battle to be named Kevin O’Connell’s starter in Minnesota.

Despite being described as ‘salty’ at OTAs recently, McCarthy’s former QB coach has urged KOC not to give up on him, and O’Connell has given no indication as to who is in the lead to start come Week 1.

Adding Richardson would give the Vikings head coach yet another option. After all, he is known for working his magic on quarterbacks.

It could be the exact thing Richardson needs to revive his NFL career before it even gets going.

Stay up to date with the NFL across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our  daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET