This Indianapolis Colts free agent signing was named a “best bargain signing” by one ESPN analyst.
The Indianapolis Colts signing quarterback Daniel Jones was named a “best bargain signing” of free agency by one of ESPN’s NFL experts.
With the dust having settled on free agency, a number of ESPN’s analysts and insiders answered various free agency-specific questions. One of which was, what was the best bargain signing of free agency?
Lindsey Thiry would pick the Colts adding Jones to the quarterback room:
“Coming out of Minnesota, where he spent part of last season on the practice squad after his release from the Giants, coaches and teammates said Jones impressed on and off the field. In Indy on a one-year, $14 million deal, he could either prove himself as a starter or inspire improved play from Richardson.”
Given the quarterback market, a $14 million deal is a bargain nowadays, so if Jones does end up being a productive starter for the Colts, the contract will look quite good.
With that said, with this being a one-year deal and nowhere to spread the cap charges to, Jones does have one of the largest cap hits on the Colts this season, which does reduce the opportunity to add elsewhere on the roster.
Jones joins the Colts after spending his first five and a half seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, where he was the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. After being released halfway through the 2024 season, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.
After the news broke that the Colts were signing Jones, Tom Pelissero spoke with Richardon’s agent, Deiric Jackson, who said that “AR will be ready to roll.” Richardson also spoke after the season about embracing whatever competition awaited him.
Both Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen have mentioned that they believe the competition can help Richardson elevate his game. When it comes to what the Colts want to see from Richardson, “consistency is the biggest thing,” as Steichen put it.
