Colts' Steichen says he's not mulling a QB change despite Jones' struggles

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  Stephen HolderOct 25, 2026, 06:55 PM ET

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  Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Colts quarterback Daniel Jones on Sunday didn't surpass 100 passing yards until his final completion and threw a game-sealing interception on his team's final drive.

But that wasn't enough for coach Shane Steichen's confidence in Jones to be shaken, the coach said after the Colts' 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"I have not thought about a quarterback change," Steichen said after the game. "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."

Jones finished 13 of 22 for 108 yards against the blitz-heavy Vikings and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, a unit that ranks second in opposing quarterback QBR and passing yards allowed. The game was expected to be ugly, but it was a continuation of a stretch for Jones during which he's looked more like the player the New York Giants moved on from than the one the Colts were willing to stake their reputations on last season.

Jones is completing a career-low 59.6% of his pass attempts, and his QBR of 41.2 is the second-lowest of his career. Jones has thrown just four touchdown passes in the Colts' seven games and his 4-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio ranked 33rd after Sunday's early slate of games.

The fateful interception on the final drive, with the Colts in decent field position, a minute left and still holding one timeout, was a gut punch and typical of the kind of mistake Jones has made this season.

Of the choice to throw the ball into double coverage, Jones said, "Obviously a poor decision there. Can't afford to do that."

Jones and the Colts anticipated a game that would be unsightly against the Minnesota defense. Flores' unit blitzed on 85% of dropbacks, the second-highest blitz rate of any team in the last 20 seasons.

But the unique matchup doesn't explain the struggles Jones has experienced all season long. It's unclear at what point Steichen might consider moving to backup Anthony Richardson Sr., who hasn't started a game since 2024 and last week was charged in a marijuana possession case in an Indianapolis suburb.

But, so far, Steichen hasn't seemed inclined to make a change.

Steichen's backing "means a lot," Jones said. "I know my job is to play well for the team to win the game. So, I've got to do a better job."