We’ve seen this act before.
That is a quarterback cast off from his original team, even multiple teams, and then find his rhythm and emerge as one of the most successful signal callers in the league. Last season, it was Sam Darnold, who after unsuccessful stints with the team that drafted him third overall in 2018, the New York Jets, and stops with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, found his perfect spot with the Minnesota Vikings.
In his only season in Minnesota, Darnold led the Vikings to the second most regular season wins in their franchise history, 15. But, the Vikings went a different direction this season, returning to what they thought was going to be their offensive leader last year, J.J. McCarthy. Darnold had been signed by Minnesota expecting to back-up the rookie, but a preseason injury ended the rookie’s campaign and opened the door for him to enjoy the best year of his career.
It doesn’t have to end abruptly without a postseason win.
In 1980, the Oakland Raiders traded Ken Stabler to the Houston Oilers for Dan Pastorini. The prior two seasons in Oakland, the Raiders back-up was Jim Plunkett. The one time overall first pick in the 1971 draft, played his first five seasons with the New England Patriots and never lived up to what they expected. For two seasons Plunkett toiled in San Francisco in years before the 49ers added Joe Montana and got good.
Then, in a game against their division rival in 1980, Pastorini was injured, and Plunkett came on to lead a win over the San Diego Chargers. Then another, and another, and another and suddenly the ten-year veteran found his stride and led the Silver and Black to a pair of Super Bowl wins to complete the 1980 and 1983 seasons.
Is it happening to another quarterback this season?
Daniel Jones was the New York Giants first round draft choice in 2019, the sixth overall pick. During his six seasons in New York the Duke alum had some bright moments, but not enough to finish last season on the Giants roster. They released him late last year to allow the quarterback to find employment elsewhere.
He did.
In Minnesota for a brief stay.
This year, he was brought into Indianapolis to battle for the starting role with the Colts against their first-round draft choice two years ago, Anthony Richardson. The competition was fierce and when Indianapolis Head Coach Shane Steichen was asked what tipped the scale to Jones his answer was not what I believe. He gave a football reason, while I think the lean away from Richardson occurred on May 21, 2025.
On that date, Richardson’s biggest supporter, team owner Jim Irsay, died. There was tension in the Colts locker room last season when Steichen was on record thinking the Colts should go in a different direction and Irsay got his way while forcing his coach to start Richardson.
That was drama in Indianapolis. Now, they are left with clear sailing on the coach making the football decisions and the competition between Richardson and Jones resulted in the coach apparently making the right choice.
Is this utopia for the Giants one-time first round draft choice?
Jones opened his career with the Colts while leading his team to a score on every offensive possession during a 33-8 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins. Last week, he guided the Colts to scores on the team’s first three possessions and got the Colts a second straight win with a narrow conquest of the Denver Broncos.
Is this Jones’ year like Darnold enjoyed last season and Plunkett capitalized with his third team?
Just when this has fairytale quality, the Colts run into a winless Titans team led by a rookie quarterback that is in a perfect spot to end the Jones crusade.
Not all stories have happy endings … unless you are on Tennessee this Sunday.
Qoxhi Picks: Tennessee Titans (+4) over Indianapolis Colts