Shane Steichen reiterated Monday that Daniel Jones is the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback, although the head coach said the passer is aware he must improve.
"He knows he's got to play better," Steichen told reporters, including Mike Chappell of Fox59.
The head coach said he wasn't considering a quarterback change following the Colts' 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and insisted he hasn't lost confidence in Jones.
"He's proven that he can do it," Steichen explained, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. "So that's where the confidence comes from. And we need to get him back playing to that level that he was last year. It's taking a little bit longer."
Jones has struggled mightily this season for the 2-5 Colts. He's on pace to complete under 60% of his passes for the first time in his career (59.6%) and has thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (four).
The 29-year-old was returning from a torn Achilles that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign. Jones showed promise last year before the injury, finishing with 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions. That earned him a two-year, $88-million contract with Indianapolis during the offseason.
The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard last week and could reportedly be sellers at the trade deadline, although the team wants to see where it stands after the next two weeks.
