For years, Daniel Jones has been the punchline of NFL debates. A career 24-44-1 record. A turnover machine. A quarterback stuck in a franchise that seemed more comfortable pointing fingers than building a winner. But through two weeks of the 2025 NFL season, we need to have a serious conversation — Daniel Jones is not just playing well…he’s thriving. And he’s doing it in Indianapolis.

A Historic Start for the Colts

The Colts are 2-0 for the first time since 2009. That’s 16 years of slow starts, false hopes, and frustration. Not only that, but they currently sit in sole possession of the AFC South, something they haven’t done since Week 3 of the 2023 season.

And here’s a stat that no team in NFL history has ever accomplished: the Colts have not punted in either of their first two games. That’s right — not once. This isn’t just a hot start. It’s unprecedented. And at the center of it all is Daniel Jones.

The Daniel Jones Resurgence

Let’s talk about the numbers. Jones is currently:

• 2nd in the NFL in passing yards
• 6th in Total QBR
• 6th in completion percentage (71.4%)
• Responsible for 5 total touchdowns (2 passing, 3 rushing)
• Zero turnovers

He’s playing efficient, confident football — which is all Colts head coach Shane Steichen was looking for when he named Jones the starter over Anthony Richardson. Jones is taking care of the ball, extending plays with his legs, and moving the offense consistently, scoring on 14 of Indy’s 17 possession this season. This is the version of Daniel Jones we rarely got to see in New York.

A Competent Roster Makes All the Difference

It’s almost like…building a real team helps quarterbacks succeed. Imagine that.

The Colts’ offense is humming. They rank:

• 2nd in the NFL in total yards
• 4th in passing yards per game
• 3rd in rushing yards

Jonathan Taylor currently leads all NFL rushers, which keeps defenses honest and opens up the field for Jones to operate. And on the other side of the ball, this Colts defense is 5th in fewest yards allowed and 1st in turnover differential. That’s a winning formula.

Suddenly, Jones doesn’t have to play hero ball. He just has to steer the ship — and he’s doing it with poise and precision.

It Was Never Just About the QB

When we look back on Daniel Jones’ tenure in New York, it’s clear he was set up to fail. A porous offensive line. A carousel of offensive coordinators. A head coach who never fully believed in him. And an organization that — let’s be honest — hasn’t exactly been a model of stability in recent years.

The Giants’ Week 2 collapse against Dallas-despite a career day from Russell Wilson-only reinforces the idea that this is a franchise without clear direction. Meanwhile, Jones and former teammate Saquon Barkley (now in Philadelphia) are thriving in new environments. That’s not a coincidence.

Maybe the problem was never Jones. Maybe it was the franchise.

Context Matters, But Winning Is Winning

Sure, you can poke holes in Indy’s early schedule. The Dolphins look like a bottom-five team and the Broncos practically handed Week 2 away with late penalties.

But you know what good teams do? They win the games in front of them.

And that’s what the Colts have done. They’ve executed. They’ve controlled the ball. And they’ve dominated the line of scrimmage. That’s a credit to the coaching staff, the defense, and yes — Daniel Jones.

The Rise of “Indiana Jones”

It’s early, but the signs are there. The Colts look like a real threat in what feels like a wide-open AFC South. And Daniel Jones? He’s gone from league-wide punchline to steady-handed field general.

In a season dedicated to beloved team owner Jim Irsay, it truly feels like the Colts are playing with purpose. They’re trying to “win for Jim”, and Daniel Jones — a player left for dead in New York — may just be the guy to lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

If this is what “Indiana Jones” looks like in 2025, buckle up. It’s going to be one wild ride.