With the NFL franchise tag deadline hitting on Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts decided to put their franchise tag on starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones missed a chunk of time in the 2025 NFL season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.
When news of the Colts’ move hit the NFL world, there was a bevy of responses from all over the place.
Analysts Split on Colts’ Risky Bet on Daniel Jones
SleeperNFL’s account on X posted a photo of a Brinks truck and added a little humor, taking a dig at the Minnesota Vikings.”The Vikings pulling up with an offer for Daniel Jones.”
The Vikings pulling up with an offer for Daniel Jones: pic.twitter.com/vg4Uk1f5sh
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 3, 2026
New York-based sports talk show host Craig Carton, though, was not a big fan of what the Colts did with Jones.
His show’s X account posted a clip of him discussing the move and shared some of his comments, too.
FRANCHISE TAGGING DANIEL JONES IS THE DUMBEST MOVE THE COLTS COULD MAKE!
“Daniel Jones is not a great QB… he’s in his 30s coming off a torn achilles, at best playing football in November… NOBODY is offering 2 first round picks… you’re not giving Jones $46 million not to play… pic.twitter.com/UuIprqXsrm
– The Craig Carton Show (@CraigCartonShow) March 3, 2026
“FRANCHISE TAGGING DANIEL JONES IS THE DUMBEST MOVE THE COLTS COULD MAKE!” the account posted on X. ‘Daniel Jones is not a great QB… he’s in his 30s coming off a torn achilles, at best playing football in November… NOBODY is offering 2 first round picks… you’re not giving Jones $46 million not to play football till November or December!’ – Craig Carton”.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report offered some additional perspective on the situation surrounding Jones at this time. The Colts decided not to put their franchise tag on wide receiver Alec Pierce, a move that Schultz discusses in his post, too.
Schultz posted on X, “Sources: While the Daniel Jones tag would allow Alec Pierce to become a free agent, it’s my understanding both sides have been in active negotiations and there is a chance Pierce could agree to terms on a long-term deal — before becoming a free agent next week. That is believed to be the hope for both sides.”
Sources: While the Daniel Jones tag would allow Alec Pierce to become a free agent, it’s my understanding both sides have been in active negotiations and there is a chance Pierce could agree to terms on a long-term deal — before becoming a free agent next week.
That is believed… https://t.co/vp0NduELlJ pic.twitter.com/CvYy3HarcA
– Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 3, 2026
Hayden Winks, the director of Underdog NFL, pointed out that Jones also has time to negotiate with another NFL team.
“1-year, $38M for Daniel Jones, but he can negotiate a deal with another team,” Winks wrote. “If they agree to terms, the Colts have 5 days to match the exact deal. Giving a player coming off a torn Achilles an expensive 1-year deal isn’t ideal. This story isn’t over.”
Stephen Holder, who covers the Colts for ESPN, also had some thoughts about the Jones tag that the Colts put on their quarterback on Tuesday. Holder posted on X, “There you go. Also, talks will continue. That won’t change.”
Anthony Rivardo, managing editor for Empire Media Sports and host of the “Fireside Giants” podcast, said he wishes the New York had handled Jones the way the Colts did. Rivardo wrote, “Biggest finesser in NFL history. Wish this is what the Giants did. Good for the Colts”.
Biggest finesser in NFL history. Wish this is what the Giants did. Good for the Colts https://t.co/5W8bFHaPag
– Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) March 3, 2026
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee, who hosts “The Pat McAfee Show,” had his own reaction to what the Colts did: “BREAKING: The Indianapolis Colts have OFFICIALLY placed the transition tag on Danny Dimes”.
BREAKING: The Indianapolis Colts have OFFICIALLY placed the transition tag on Danny Dimes#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tzgmd3eARI
– Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2026
Demetrius Harvey, who covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union, wrote, “Colts will keep Jones. Obviously, no team would sign that offer sheet.”
According to the PFSN NFL QB Impact Metrics, measured during the regular season, Jones scored 86.7 (B) and ranked fifth among quarterbacks.
In 13 games last season for the Colts, Jones threw for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdown passes, along with 8 interceptions. But Jones was sacked 22 times for the Colts, which is something the team will work on to better protect him when the 2026 NFL season rolls around.
