Will the Colts let Daniel Jones walk? Franchise tag deadline nearing
The NFL’s franchise tag deadline is looming and Indianapolis Colts quarterback still doesn’t have a deal.
The clock is ticking in Indianapolis. With the franchise tag window closing at 4 p.m. ET, the Indianapolis Colts face the decision of what to do with quarterback Daniel Jones.
General manager Chris Ballard has publicly said he’d prefer not to use the tag. But preference and reality aren’t always aligned in the NFL.
Daniel Jones to the Minnesota Vikings?
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 3, 2026
—@PSchrags weighs in on the team "lingering" to sign Daniel Jones 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2wiZ0y41tR
Deja Vu for Daniel Jones?
This isn’t Jones’ first deadline dance. Back in 2023, he and the New York Giants beat the franchise tag buzzer with a long-term deal, allowing New York to tag Saquon Barkley instead. Now, Jones once again finds himself staring at the same dilemma, only in a different city.
If the Colts let him hit the open market, they risk losing starting-level quarterback insurance, creating instability at the most important position in the game, and entering a thin veteran quarterback market.
Daniel Jones to the Minnesota Vikings?
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 3, 2026
—@PSchrags weighs in on the team "lingering" to sign Daniel Jones 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2wiZ0y41tR
If they tag him, they’re committing significant short-term cap space to a player they may not view as a long-term solution.
The Alec Pierce factor
Complicating matters, the Colts also have wide receiver Alec Pierce as a tag candidate. Teams can only use one franchise tag. So this isn’t just about Jones. It’s about roster prioritization. Do they secure a quarterback? Or lock in a young, ascending wideout?
The most likely outcome
The Colts could attempt to replicate Jones’ 2023 scenario by hammering out a short-term extension before the deadline and preserve flexibility.
But if no deal materializes before 4 p.m., Indianapolis must decide whether Jones is worth top-tier tag money or whether they’re comfortable letting him sprint toward free agency.
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