Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones signed a two-year contract extension worth up to $100 million on March 12, 2026, three months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. The deal includes a base value of $88 million with incentives that could reach $100 million.

Jones suffered the ruptured right Achilles tendon on December 7, 2025, in Jacksonville and underwent surgery two days later on December 9. After sustaining the injury, Jones repeatedly slammed his helmet into the wet turf. Dr. Martin O'Malley performed the surgery.

The Colts built their offseason strategy around retaining Jones and recapturing the offensive performance he produced in 2025. The organization expects Jones to be available by opening day of the 2026 season and to replicate his 2025 performance. Jones and the Colts agreed to contract terms on March 11, 2026, just as the free agent signing period was about to begin.

On March 12, Jones entered the Colts' media room without crutches or a noticeable limp to discuss his contract extension. "It is a process and there's a lot of work to do and I'm ready to do it," Jones said.

Jones was examined by Dr. O'Malley and Colts team doctors before signing his contract extension and determined it was prudent to proceed. "We feel good about where he is at and where he's going," said Chris Ballard, general manager. "The three-month mark is when you're kind of past the danger zone."

Jones remained in Indianapolis during the offseason to work daily with the Colts' medical staff. He consulted with other quarterbacks who had sustained Achilles tendon tears to seek recovery advice and reached out to Aaron Rodgers immediately after his injury.

More than 90 days after surgery, Jones's rehabilitation will begin to ramp up with a focus on strengthening and progression to jogging. "Three months is really the key point," said Tim Kremchek, orthopedic surgeon and medical director for the Cincinnati Reds. "But once you get past that three-month mark, you're pretty much golden. It's really hard to hurt them again after three months. I don't think it's unreasonable to think he might start opening day for them."

Dr. O'Malley performed Achilles tendon repairs on Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. Tatum returned to the Boston Celtics lineup less than ten months after his Achilles tendon surgery sustained in the previous season's playoffs.

At three months post-surgery, the Achilles tendon incision is fully healed, range of motion begins to return, and the effectiveness of the surgery becomes more apparent. Kremchek said that during offseason workouts this spring, some controlled football movements might be possible and Jones could resume throwing passes at the five- or six-month mark.