Adam Schefter Floats Daniel Jones as NFL Trade Deadline Surprise Candidate

Quarterback Daniel Jones Emerges as Trade Deadline Surprise Candidate for Indianapolis Colts

ESPN insider Adam Schefter floated Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones as a surprise trade candidate just days before the NFL trade deadline, pointing to the Baltimore Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings as potential landing spots. The league-wide trading period shuts down on November 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 10 p.m. German time, setting a firm deadline for front offices across the league to finalize deals.

Indianapolis has already initiated a major roster teardown by trading guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers following the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. While widespread speculation centers on running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs—who has publicly requested a trade—Schefter noted that front offices should watch out for unexpected moves.

“What about Daniel Jones? Could the Baltimore Ravens make a run at Daniel Jones? While Schefter stressed he was not reporting an imminent deal, the suggestion places new scrutiny on Jones’s future in Indianapolis.”

Contract Terms and 2026 Season Struggles in Indianapolis

Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract extension after revitalizing his career during his first season with the Colts in 2025. That campaign ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles tendon after 13 starts in which he threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while adding five rushing scores, following his departure from the New York Giants in 2024.

The 29-year-old quarterback has struggled to recapture that form during the 2026 season. Through eight starts, Jones has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,542 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions, leaving the Colts with a 2-6 record in his starts. Following a 42-7 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that dropped Indianapolis to 2-6 after a 2-2 start, head coach Shane Steichen publicly committed to Jones as his starter before later acknowledging the team’s broader evaluation of the roster.

Evaluating the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings as Suitors

The Baltimore Ravens face immediate pressure at the quarterback position with both Lamar Jackson sidelined by a thumb injury and Tyler Huntley nursing a turf toe. Emergency backup Joe Fagnano was forced into action during Baltimore’s recent loss to the Buffalo Bills, leaving the AFC contenders searching for experienced insurance in the playoff race.

In Minnesota, the 6-1 Vikings present a different set of circumstances. Kyler Murray ranks 26th in the NFL in quarterback rating, placing a statistical ceiling on a roster otherwise built for contention. Jones spent time as a backup for Minnesota during the 2024 season, giving him built-in familiarity with the team’s system that would position him as an experienced alternative behind Murray rather than an immediate starter.

Remaining Roster Decisions Before the November 10 Deadline

The Colts hold active offers for Jonathan Taylor while evaluating whether incoming trade packages will improve, with the New York Giants among the teams reportedly showing interest in the running back. Meanwhile, the team continues to weigh offers for Josh Downs as the organization pivots toward accumulating draft capital to accelerate its rebuilding process under interim leadership.

More on this story: NFL Trade Deadline: Indianapolis Colts Open to Trading Star RB Jonathan Taylor, Insider Says