Jul 1, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT

ESPN analyst makes bold claim on Daniel Jones' resurgence with Colts

NFL, American Football Herren, USA Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars Dec 7, 2025 Jacksonville, Florida, USA Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones 17 stands on the field prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville EverBank Stadium Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMattxPendletonx 20251207_rtc_ee7_0001

The Indianapolis Colts’ star quarterback Daniel Jones might be ready to return to the gridiron after recovering from a season-ending torn Achilles. Although he maintained his production before the injury, but an analyst believes it was a fluke.

While coming up with the list of “NFL breakouts and nosedives,” ESPN analyst Ben Solak claimed that the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Daniel Jones’ resurgence with the Colts was a temporary “super blip” he might not pull it out again.

"Had Jones finished the 2025 season, his 'blip or trend' debate would have been a featured piece of offseason discourse," Solak wrote. "But we didn't get the full picture.”

NFL, American Football Herren, USA Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars Dec 7, 2025 Jacksonville, Florida, USA Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones 17 stands on the field during the National Anthem before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville EverBank Stadium Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMattxPendletonx 20251207_rtc_ee7_0006

Before suffering a season-ending injury, Jones had a great start with the Colts. Per Pro Football Reference, he appeared in 13 games where he threw for 3,101 yards and scored 19 touchdowns with 68.0 CMP%.

"Jones came out the gates hot -- just a blistering pace,” Solak wrote. “Through the first seven games, he led the league in dropback success rate (56.1%) and EPA per dropback (0.30), with a cool 71.0% completion percentage and 7.9 yards per dropback…”

For Solak, it was just momentary brilliance shown by Jones, but he also considered the fact that it is a sign of progress as a quarterback.

Previously, for the last two seasons, his production was not up to the mark, he just appeared in 16 games where he threw for just 2,979 yards with ten touchdowns.

Jones' initial time in the Giants has taken the NFL by storm, he started 53 games and scored 60 TDs while throwing for 11,603 yards.

Many around the league agree with Solak's projection, though Jones has already started backing it up during the offseason program.

Daniel Jones makes strong impression during OTAs

As reported by Amanda Foster of colts.com, while addressing the media, the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Daniel Jones claimed that he is making a steady recovery and that the fans can expect him to return in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

"I'm very confident in being back to 100 percent and ready to go," Jones said Thursday. "I'm in a good spot, I'm on schedule. I think from everything the doctors are telling me, trainers, rehab, PTs, I think I'm in a good spot.

Highlighting his steady progress, he has been regularly taking his rehab sessions and following up with his doctors around his injury and potential return to the team.

I've hit my marks and just have to continue to do that. It's a process. You kind of just keep checking the boxes and keep progressing as the rehab protocol lays out. So I'll just stick to that, but I feel good with where I am right now."

He also mentioned that while looking at other QBs who suffered a similar injury, he said patience is important when it comes to injury recovery.

He has progressed to participating in 7-on-7 drills during minicamp and expects to be fully cleared for 11-on-11 work by training camp.

As the 2026 season approaches, Daniel Jones is actively working towards his return.

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker