Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen has shut down talk of a quarterback change, insisting he has “a ton of faith” in Daniel Jones despite another difficult afternoon in Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Jones completed just 13 of 22 passes for 108 yards, did not reach 100 yards until his final completion, and threw a game-sealing interception on the Colts’ final drive.
Daniel Jones (Credits: ESPN)
Colts Coach Shane Steichen Backs Daniel Jones Despite Struggles
Asked directly after the game whether he had considered benching his starter, Steichen was unequivocal. “I have not thought about a quarterback change,” he said. “I’ve got a ton of faith in Daniel. That game plan today was to go run the football and, obviously, at the end, he had the interception. And that happens in football.”
Steichen also praised his team’s effort in a low-scoring, physical contest, saying there was no lack of fight in the locker room and that the players prepare the right way. The plan, he stressed, was never for Jones to air it out against a Vikings defence that entered the week allowing a league-best 12.2 points per game, and that blitzed on 85% of dropbacks — the second-highest blitz rate by any team in the past 20 seasons.
Daniel Jones Season Numbers Put Colts QB Under Pressure
The context, however, is uncomfortable for Indianapolis. The defeat drops the Colts to 2-5 after a third straight loss, and Jones’ season numbers are stark: a career-low 59.6% completion rate, a QBR of 41.2 — the second-lowest of his career — and just four touchdown passes against seven interceptions in seven games, a ratio that ranked 33rd after Sunday’s early games.
The final interception summed up the afternoon. With the Colts down by six, in decent field position, a minute left and a timeout in hand, Jones threw into double coverage on the second play of the final possession. He admitted afterwards that it was a poor decision he could not afford to make. He was also sacked four times, and the Colts averaged just 3.7 yards per play.
Steichen’s public backing does not erase the questions, but it does settle the immediate one: the Colts are sticking with Jones. The alternative, Anthony Richardson, has not thrown a pass in a regular-season game since a serious eye injury in October 2025. For now, Indianapolis will keep going with its QB1 — and hope the faith Steichen showed on Sunday is eventually repaid on the field.
Also Read: ‘We’re Not Far Off,’ O’Connell Says as Vikings Reach 6-0 Despite Lagging Offence in 16-10 Win Over Colts | NFL Week 7 Guide: Every Game Preview — Steelers vs Saints in Paris, Cowboys at Eagles, Bengals at Ravens
Source: ESPN — read the full story there.
