At a time when the Colts are undoubtedly considering an exit strategy from the balance of Daniel Jones’ contract, Jones has clear incentive to be traded to a playoff contender.
The incentive comes directly from its incentive program.
Jones’ two-year, $88 million contract has plenty of upside for 2026. And most of them have to do with making the playoffs and winning games once he gets there.
He is on track to earn up to $550,000 by accumulating 90 percent offensive playing time for the season. In eight games, he has taken 98 percent of the snaps. (More precisely, the term gives it $100,000 for 50 percent, $200,000 for 60 percent, $300,000 for 70 percent, $400,000 for 80 percent, or $550,000 for 90 percent.)
Jones also receives an additional $100,000 for each win in which he plays more than 50% of the snaps. To date, he has added $200,000 of a potential $800,000.
If his team wins 10 or more games and he plays 75 percent of the offensive snaps, Jones receives an additional $250,000. With 75 percent playing time and a playoff berth, he gets another $250,000. With 75 percent playing time and a division title, he gets another $250,000.
Next is the package for playoff success, with up to $2.5 million available. With 50 percent playing time and a win in the wild-card round, he wins $500,000. With 50 percent and a victory in the divisional round, he gets another $500,000. With 50 percent playing time and a conference championship win, he gets another $500,000. With 50 percent playing time and a Super Bowl victory, he gets another $1 million.
So, yes, Jones has plenty of reasons to want to move from non-competitor to competitor.
And the Colts have plenty of reasons to want to remove him from the roster. He has $10.51 million in injury guarantees for 2027. At some point, the Colts might be tempted to put him in bubble wrap, like the Giants did in 2024.
At this point, Jones would surely repeat his request from two years ago to be released. However, given that the trade deadline will have passed, it will be subject to exemptions.
The best outcome for the Colts (who can opt out of Jones’ contract before the guarantees vest in March 2027) would be to get value for Jones now. The best outcome for Jones would be to land on a team with which he is better positioned to unlock multi-million rewards.
And the best destination – barring a serious injury to a contender’s starting quarterback on Sunday – continues to be the Vikings.
Gn sports
