Shane Steichen Says Daniel Jones Still Colts’ Best Option

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Steichen Affirms Jones as Starter Amid Losing Streak

Despite a lopsided defeat and ongoing offensive struggles, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that Daniel Jones will remain the team’s starting quarterback. Jones is set to take the field against Dallas at Lucas Oil Stadium, following a difficult 42-7 loss at Jacksonville that marked the franchise’s most lopsided defeat since 2022.

Recent Performance and Challenges

Daniel Jones’ recent performance has been under scrutiny. Against Jacksonville, he completed 19-of-28 passes for 144 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. One interception, which deflected off tight end Tyler Warren’s hands, was returned 92 yards for a touchdown by Rayuan Land III. Steichen substituted Anthony Richardson Sr. in the fourth quarter, though the coach later indicated this was a situational decision.

Statistical Decline From Previous Success

Jones has struggled to reach the heights of his 2025 season, when he led the Colts to an 8-2 start before suffering a broken left fibula and a torn right Achilles tendon on December 7 at Jacksonville. Currently, he is posting career lows: completing 60.4 percent of his passes while averaging 192.8 yards per game, 5.8 yards per attempt, and 9.5 yards per completion. With five touchdown passes and nine interceptions, his passer rating of 68.7 ranks as another career worst. Jones’ 12 turnovers tie him with the Chargers’ Justin Herbert for most in the league.

Colts Offense: Statistical Struggles

The challenge extends beyond Jones. Once the league’s most prolific offense early last season, the Colts now rank 31st in yards per play (4.5), 31st in yards per pass (5.1, including sack yardage), and 26th in scoring (20.1). The team has not surpassed 269 gross passing yards in a game this season and has gone 16 straight games without a 300-yard passing performance—the last being Jones’ 342 yards in a week 9 loss at Pittsburgh last year.

So far this season, the Colts have not recorded a single 300-yard passer, 100-yard receiver, or 100-yard rusher. Only the Colts and the winless Los Angeles Chargers share this distinction through eight weeks.

Steichen’s Continued Support

After Sunday’s loss, Steichen initially said that every position would be evaluated. However, he restated his support for Jones, referring to his preparation, command of the offense, and what Jones brings to the team. “Like I said, he needs to play better. We’ve got to do a better job around him, executing better at all levels,” Steichen commented.

He also stressed that responsibility is shared. “Obviously the quarterback takes the brunt of it all, 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.”