Daniel Jones Trade Rumors: Colts Receiving Calls Ahead of NFL Deadline

Daniel Jones may be starting for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

That does not mean he will still be their quarterback after Tuesday.

Multiple teams have contacted Indianapolis about Jones ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and the 2-6 Colts are listening.

With the organization already discussing deals involving several veteran players, Jones has become one of the more interesting quarterback names on the market.

Teams Are Calling the Colts About Daniel Jones

NFL Network and ESPN reported Saturday that Indianapolis has received calls from multiple clubs regarding Jones’ availability.

The Baltimore Ravens checked on Jones before acquiring Jacoby Brissett from Arizona, and Minnesota has also been connected to the quarterback market.

Reuters also reported that the Colts are listening to offers rather than shutting the conversation down.

There is no completed trade.

There is no confirmed destination.

But there is clearly a market.

Jones Is Still Starting Against Dallas

For now, nothing changes on the field.

Jones is expected to make his ninth start of the season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Shane Steichen reaffirmed Jones as the starter after Indianapolis’ 42-7 loss to Jacksonville.

Jones completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in that game before Anthony Richardson entered late.

Steichen said Jones still gives the Colts their best chance to win.

That may be true for Sunday.

It does not necessarily mean he is part of the long-term plan.

The Contract Makes a Trade Complicated

Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract in March.

The deal included a $44 million signing bonus and contains a $10.51 million injury guarantee for 2027 that becomes fully guaranteed in March if Jones remains on the roster.

That is important.

A team trading for Jones would not simply be acquiring a short-term emergency starter.

It would be taking on a meaningful financial decision for next season as well.

That can reduce the number of realistic buyers, but it can also make him more attractive to a team that wants more than a rental.

Why Indianapolis Is Listening

The Colts are 2-6 and have already shifted toward evaluating the future.

Indianapolis has explored trades involving Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs, and the roster has already undergone major change over the last several weeks.

Jones is 29 years old.

He has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

Those numbers are not strong enough to make him untouchable.

If another team is willing to offer useful draft capital, Indianapolis has to listen.

Who Could Make Sense?

The most obvious market is any team dealing with an injury or uncertainty at quarterback.

Baltimore was one of those teams before acquiring Brissett.

Minnesota has been mentioned because of its own quarterback instability.

Other possibilities could emerge quickly if an injury occurs Sunday.

That is why the final weekend before the deadline matters so much.

A team that has no interest in Jones on Saturday can become desperate by Sunday night.

Jones Still Has Value as a Veteran Starter

His season has been uneven, but Jones is not without value.

He has extensive starting experience, has played in multiple offensive systems and could step into a veteran locker room without needing months to acclimate to NFL speed.

For a contender that loses its starter, that matters.

There are very few quarterbacks available in November who have started as many games as Jones has.

That alone creates a market.

The Colts Do Not Have to Trade Him

Listening is not the same thing as selling.

Indianapolis still has Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson on the roster, but neither has forced the organization into an immediate handoff.

If the offers are weak, the Colts can simply keep Jones through the end of the season and make their quarterback decision later.

That gives Indianapolis leverage.

The Colts do not have to move him.

They just have to decide whether the return is more valuable than keeping him.

What Happens Next?

Jones starts against Dallas on Sunday.

The trade deadline arrives Tuesday.

Between those two points, the market can change quickly.

A strong performance could make Jones more attractive.

An injury elsewhere could create a new bidder.

A weak offer could convince Indianapolis to stand pat.

For now, Daniel Jones remains the Colts’ starting quarterback.

He also happens to be one of the most notable quarterbacks available in trade conversations.

Those two things can both be true at the same time.

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