Fans Praise Colts After Daniel Jones Gets $37.8 Million Transition Tag – “Smart Move”

The Indianapolis Colts might not have Daniel Jones ready to play football at least until the end of November.

Fans Praise Colts After Daniel Jones Gets $37.8 Million Transition Tag – “Smart Move”

Colts tag Daniel Jones (Image via Colts on SI/X)

In Short
  • The Indianapolis Colts placed a transition tag on QB Daniel Jones worth $37.8 million.
  • Fans are praising the move as a smart financial decision for the franchise.
  • The tag limits the Colts' ability to retain young receiver Alec Pierce, who may not be tagged.

A year ago, no one imagined Daniel Jones would have the season he produced with the Indianapolis Colts, especially after his disastrous run with the New York Giants.

So much had been made about his abilities, or lack of, that fans scoffed at the franchise for handing him a one-year, $14 million contract. Fans felt the Colts were an unserious organization to think the Duke alum could be anything more than average.

A few games in, and those doubts were replaced by conversations about how he should be the MVP favorite. Sure, he did have a few questionable outings, but even then, he was the primary reason the Colts were on course to feature in the postseason.

Then, as unfortunate as it could be, the 28-year-old tore the Achilles tendon in his right calf. Since then, the franchise experimented with a grandfather, and has since been staring at the possibility of Anthony Richardson leaving.

The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, per sources. The transition tag is $37.833M, more than $6M cheaper than the QB franchise tag, but gives Jones the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with another team that Indianapolis would then have the right to match.

Adam Schefter wrote on X

Unlike the non-exclusive franchise tag the Dallas Cowboys placed on George Pickens, the Colts will not get draft compensation if another team offers Daniel Jones a contract they do not want to match.

Fans cheer on Colts’ impressive stance on Daniel Jones

If Anthony Richardson were to exit via trade, and if Daniel Jones gets a contract offer that would be too good to refuse, the Indianapolis Colts would be left with last year’s sixth-round pick, Riley Leonard. On top of that, the franchise would not receive any draft compensation if it’s starting QB left.

Even though the combination of these situations makes it seem as if the Colts were not thinking, some fans felt the organization had thought this through. Check out examples of those reactions below:

In essence, if another team comes for Daniel Jones, the Colts can save a lot of money without having to overpay the QB. On top of that, it would allow them to explore Riley Leonard’s prospects.

If that fails, at least they will not be stuck with two underperforming signal callers, with one on a contract they just do not want to give out based on one stellar season.

Daniel Jones’ tag could have implications for Alec Pierce’s future

By placing the transition tag on Daniel Jones, the Indianapolis Colts have exhausted their chance at tagging promising young receiver Alec Pierce.

Daniel Jones (left) and Alec Pierce (right) played well together last season
Daniel Jones (left) and Alec Pierce (right) played well together last season (Image via Sleeper Colts/X)

The 25-year-old amassed a smidge over 1000 yards without Jones throwing him a pass for nearly five games. His potential is massive, and it would be senseless if they lose the Cincinnati alum to another team.

That would definitely be a big thing for getting me back here, is having him here.

Alec Pierce told WISH-TV News

This was the wide receiver’s response when WISH-TV News asked him after their season ended if he wanted his starting quarterback back for next season.

It seems the Colts may already have a contract done with him, and placed the transition tag on Jones to get Pierce to sign the deal. However, it could change if the QB gets a lucrative deal from elsewhere.

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