The Indianapolis Colts thought they had found something real at quarterback this season. Daniel Jones was revitalizing his career, had the team sitting at 8-2, and briefly ranked fifth in PFSN’s Quarterback Impact Metric during a 10-game stretch that changed the tone around the franchise. Then the injuries resurfaced.
A fractured fibula slowed him late in the year before an Achilles tear in December ended his season and reshaped the Colts’ offseason. That uncertainty has now led one ESPN projection to connect Indianapolis with a familiar name as a potential Week 1 starter in 2026.
ESPN Projects Gardner Minshew as Bridge Option While Colts Navigate Daniel Jones Timeline
In ESPN’s leaguewide projection of 2026 starters, Indianapolis stood out as a team without a clear answer at quarterback. With only one surefire first-round quarterback in the upcoming draft class, teams facing instability are expected to explore veterans rather than rely solely on rookies.
For Indianapolis, ESPN projected Gardner Minshew as the 2026 Week 1 starter.
The reasoning centers on availability and cost control. Jones is set to hit free agency after playing 2025 on a one-year, $14 million deal. Before the injury, he appeared positioned for a sizable extension. However, his Achilles tear will significantly impact both timing and contract structure. Even if the Colts want him back, and reports suggest they might, he may not be ready to open the season.
Durability remains part of the conversation. Jones has played more than 13 games in a season just twice in the past 7 years. Indianapolis cannot afford to enter 2026 without a quarterback capable of taking meaningful snaps early. That is where Minshew enters the discussion.
The 29-year-old previously operated under Shane Steichen in 2023 and delivered the most efficient stretch of his career in that system. Steichen has historically extracted steadier play from Minshew than he did from other stopgap options, and familiarity matters in his timing-based offense.
Minshew’s 2025 season ended abruptly in Kansas City as he filled in for an injured Patrick Mahomes. Minshew suffered a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture following an initial scare that testing later confirmed was not an ACL tear. He was placed on injured reserve, but the injury did not carry the long-term ligament damage initially feared.
His market value dipped following an uneven stint in Las Vegas and a shortened year in Kansas City, but Minshew projects as a cost-effective option. He would not require a long-term commitment and would not prevent the Colts from re-signing Jones if they believe his 2025 surge was sustainable.
The Colts’ decision is layered. Jones showed legitimate growth. But his career sample remains uneven, and the injury complicates any immediate investment. Meanwhile, Indianapolis believes its roster is competitive enough to contend in the AFC South if quarterback play is stabilized.
