A red-hot start from Daniel Jones was, of course, a key factor in the Indianapolis Colts’ success on offense through 10 games last season.
However, according to PFF’s data, around Jones was a strong supporting cast.
Daire Carragher of PFF recently took a look at which quarterbacks received the most help during the 2025 season. Even with taking Jones’ grade out of the equation, the Colts’ offense still had the fourth-highest overall grade.
“Non-playoff teams inside the top 10 can potentially point fingers at substandard quarterback play hindering their ambitions,” Carragher wrote. “But in the case of the fourth-ranked Indianapolis Colts, mounting injuries to Daniel Jones spurred a seven-game losing streak to end the season.”
Around Jones was an offensive line group that finished the season as one of the better pass-blocking units in football by PFF’s metrics.
Along with Jones’ fast start, Jonathan Taylor was among the NFL’s leading rushers. Alec Pierce provided a big-play threat, while Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Tyler Warren all provided Jones with other steady targets.
By re-signing Jones and Pierce this offseason, the Colts believe that the success the offense had through 10 games can be sustained and replicated in 2026.
Many of these same players will be returning, and that will certainly help take the playmaking responsibility off Jones’ shoulders — he doesn’t have to do it all.
That said, there are some question marks. For one, Jones is coming off a major injury. But in addition to that, the offense no longer has Pittman or right tackle Braden Smith.
It’s also important to note that even before Jones’ injury, defenses were already beginning to figure this offense out, but we never got to see whether or not Shane Steichen and Jones had a counter.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Why Colts’ offense can again find success in 2026
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
