INDIANAPOLIS -- Daniel Jones remains the Colts' QB1.
Coach Shane Steichen on Monday said Jones will remain the Colts' starting quarterback for the team's Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys despite leaving the door open to a change after the Colts' 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Jones completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards against Jacksonville (5.1 yards per attempt), throwing two more interceptions to raise his season total to nine picks. One of the interceptions came on a dropped pass by tight end Tyler Warren, resulting in a pick-six touchdown for the Jaguars.
The Colts' offense ranks among the worst in the NFL in many major categories, including offensive expected points added (31st). Personally, Jones has ranked as one of the worst quarterbacks this season in QBR. His 39.6 QBR is the second worst he has produced in his eight seasons.
But Steichen warned that the issues plaguing the Colts' offense are bigger than Jones.
"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. "But I do feel that Daniel gives us the best chance to win right now."
After Sunday's game, Steichen for the first time this season offered a different answer when asked about Jones' status. Asked about Jones' status in his postgame news conference, Steichen said, "I'm going to evaluate everything, every position going forward."
Asked on Monday to elaborate on his decision to stick with Jones, Steichen suggested performance at other positions has played a role in Jones' struggles.
"Obviously, the quarterback takes the brunt of it all," Steichen said. "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."
Jones was sacked four times in the game and the Jaguars registered 10 quarterback hits. Colts backup Anthony Richardson Sr., who last started a game for Indianapolis in December 2024, relieved Jones late in the game with the Colts down 35 points. Steichen said at the time the decision was prompted by the score, not indicative of any larger decision.