The Indianapolis Colts have revived a seldom-used NFL strategy by placing the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, signaling their determination to keep him amid contract negotiations.
Understanding the Transition Tag
This move differs from the standard franchise tag. It offers Jones $37.8 million for the upcoming season, lower than the $43.9 million franchise tag value. Crucially, it permits Jones to negotiate long-term deals with other teams. The Colts hold the right to match any offer, but declining to do so means losing him without draft compensation.
The transition tag last appeared in 1996, when the Atlanta Falcons applied it to quarterback Jeff George, a former Colt, to secure his services.
Jones’s Journey with the Colts
After a challenging exit from the New York Giants in 2024, Jones flourished with the Colts in 2025 under a one-year, $14 million contract. The team stood at 8-4 when he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7.
His injury derailed both Jones’s campaign and the Colts’, who dropped six straight games and missed the playoffs. Yet, his performance when healthy convinced the organization of his value.
Jones currently negotiates a long-term extension with Indianapolis.
Shifts in the Quarterback Room
Meanwhile, backup Anthony Richardson and the Colts mutually agreed to explore trade options this offseason. Injuries limited Richardson to 17 games over three years, with accuracy issues evident in his 47.7% completion rate during 2024.
In 2025, he attempted just two passes in two games, completing one, before falling behind Jones. A fractured orbital bone from a pregame mishap sidelined him from mid-October onward.
The Colts view sixth-round pick Riley Leonard from 2025 as a viable backup, reducing Richardson’s role next season.
