Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced Monday that Daniel Jones will remain the starting quarterback for the team's Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The decision comes after a critical evaluation of the team's performance and a potential quarterback change following a significant loss.
Steichen stated that after reviewing game footage, he believes Jones gives the Colts their best opportunity to secure a victory. "Evaluating the tape, looking back at it, some things he could do better, some things that we need to help him with moving forward," Steichen said, according to ESPN. "But I do feel that Daniel gives us the best chance to win right now."
Jones was benched in the fourth quarter of the Colts' recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which they lost 42-7. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards and threw two interceptions in that contest, bringing his season total to nine interceptions. Anthony Richardson Sr. finished the game at quarterback after Jones was pulled.
Steichen suggested that the team's struggles are not solely attributable to the quarterback position. "Obviously, the quarterback takes the brunt of it all," he commented. "As we know, that’s what the quarterback signs up for. And it’s not all on him, right? It’s everything. It’s all encompassing. It’s everyone doing their job, being on the same page, the route discipline, the route detail, the blocking, the protections — all those things tie into it."
Richardson himself expressed support for Jones following the loss, telling reporters, "I’ve got my full support, I’m supporting him 1,000 percent." He added, "It’s tough to play quarterback in this league, it’s tough to play quarterback in general. When the spotlight’s on you like this, you’ve just got to keep your head down and keep working."
Jones, who signed with the Colts in the offseason, had his 2025 season cut short by an Achilles injury. In the current 2026 season, he has thrown for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions.