Colts' Daniel Jones gets $100 million contract update from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
The Indianapolis Colts likely had optimism when they signed Daniel Jones this offseason.
But would they have ever expected this?
Jones is leading the NFL's best offense. The former New York Giants bust is now one of the league's trending quarterbacks.
With that comes a reality: Jones is going to get paid. It's going to be a big raise.
The Colts signed him to just a one-year deal. That limited their commitment, and it also gave Jones a chance to prove himself and secure a hefty contract. That's what Jones has done.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler expects the next deal to get into nine figures.
"Jones has a chance to become the biggest earner in the free agency class," Fowler wrote on Wednesday. "The Colts appear all-in on keeping Jones long term, and they have comps for former top-10 picks who thrived when quarterbacking a new team -- Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who each earned three-year deals worth around $100 million. Jones would totally be justified asking for that ... with interest."
Quarterback reclamation projects certainly appear to be the narrative of the moment in the NFL.
Mayfield and Darnold have been great. Geno Smith had a good run after appearing lost for a while, too.
Jones' performance in Indy has been so good that people are wondering whether the guy he replaced, Anthony Richardson, just needs a new address to unlock his potential.
The Colts won't be as concerned about Richardson at this point, though. They traded two first-round picks to get Sauce Gardner because they believe in their present, a present led by Jones at QB, and he's going to get paid accordingly.
THE ENTIRE NFL WORLD ERUPTS: Erin Andrews Leaves Studio Speechless After Declaring “Jalen Hurts Is This Nation’s New Quarterback”
The NFL world has erupted in chaos following one of the boldest statements ever made on live television. During a recent post-game discussion, veteran sportscaster
“Is it time for America to move on from Patrick Mahomes?”
Moments later, she doubled down by calling
“It wasn’t meant to disrespect Mahomes,” Andrews later clarified, “but it’s time we talk about what’s really happening on the field. The league is changing, and Jalen Hurts is part of that change.”
The statement came after a disappointing performance by Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in their loss to the Eagles. Analysts had already been questioning whether the Chiefs’ dynasty was beginning to crack, but Andrews’ comment poured gasoline on the fire. Within minutes, hashtags like
Supporters of Mahomes were quick to defend him, highlighting his two Super Bowl victories and record-breaking achievements. “You don’t just move on from the best player in football,” one fan wrote. Others, however, agreed with Andrews, arguing that Mahomes’ recent struggles show he’s no longer untouchable.
“Jalen Hurts is fearless, calculated, and brings a unique balance of power and poise to this league,” Andrews said later in the broadcast. “This isn’t about disrespect — it’s about recognizing who’s leading the new generation.”
The controversy didn’t end there. Several analysts on the panel reportedly tried to steer the conversation away, but the clip had already gone viral. Sports talk shows replayed the moment repeatedly, with some calling it
Former players also weighed in. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted, “Respect to Erin, but you don’t replace greatness just because someone’s having a rough month. Mahomes is still HIM.” Meanwhile, retired quarterback
The debate has since evolved beyond football performance and into a cultural discussion about legacy, hype, and the media’s role in shaping public perception. Some critics accused Andrews of intentionally sparking controversy to drive ratings, while others praised her for “saying what everyone else was thinking.”
Inside NFL circles, the reaction was reportedly mixed. Sources close to the Chiefs said Mahomes was “aware” of the comment but refused to engage publicly, focusing instead on preparing for next week’s matchup. The
Jalen Hurts himself responded humbly when asked about the viral moment during a post-practice interview:
“I appreciate the kind words,” Hurts said. “But I’m not here to replace anyone. Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest ever. My focus is on leading my guys, one game at a time.”
Despite his modesty, the internet has already dubbed this debate the “Quarterback Crown War.” Fans and analysts are now framing every upcoming Chiefs-Eagles matchup as a symbolic clash between the old guard and the new face of the league.
As of now, neither ESPN nor Fox Sports has issued an official statement regarding Andrews’ comments. Still, the moment has cemented itself as one of the most memorable live-television exchanges in recent NFL history. Whether you view it as bold truth-telling or unnecessary provocation,
With the NFL season heating up and the Chiefs under growing pressure, all eyes are now on Patrick Mahomes. Can he silence the critics and remind the world why he’s considered the face of modern football? Or has
Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: Erin Andrews has set the football world on fire, and this debate isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
