Colts fans are calling for Daniel Jones benching after ugly Titans loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Daniel Jones experience in 2026 hasn't been much like the Daniel Jones experience in 2025.
Last year, Jones had somewhat of a career resurgence on a one-year deal with the Colts, guiding the team to an unexpected 8-2 start to the season as his dual-threat capabilities fit naturally in a high-powered offense. Now, the quarterback — under a year removed from a torn Achilles injury — has been struggling.
Indianapolis fell to 2-4 on Sunday with a 26-20 loss to the Titans, marking Tennessee's first win of the season. Jones didn't play well, a performance bad enough that fans are beginning to question his grip on the QB1 role.
Here's why some fans have called for Jones to be benched after the Colts' Week 6 loss.
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Why Colts fans are calling for Daniel Jones to be benched
Indianapolis' defense deserves no pardon for allowing four field goals and a touchdown to a lowly Titans offense in Week 6, paired with a blocked punt touchdown for Tennessee. But the Colts' typically reliable offense also didn't help, managing 20 points against an unimpressive opponent.
The Colts' run game actually turned in a strong performance, with Jones and Jonathan Taylor leading the way for 165 team rushing yards and 5.5 yards per carry. But the passing game was struggling, with Jones completing under 50% of his passes (22-for-42) and turning the ball over twice.
After a first-drive interception, Jones had a worse pick in the third quarter to Cor'Dale Flott.
Cor'Dale Flott gets the @Titans' 2nd INT of the game! TENvsIND on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/3MY2SGycGh
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026
The Colts have stuck by Jones since signing him in 2025, when he entered the season in a competition with young backup Anthony Richardson. But with Jones' recent struggles, some fans have wondered if it may soon be time for Shane Steichen to see how Richardson has developed, if not give Riley Leonard another shot.
I wish Shane Steichen would hold Daniel Jones to the same standard he held Anthony Richardson #ForTheShoe
— Indysports (@Indysports1812) October 18, 2026
You can’t convince me that Anthony Richardson does any WORSE than Daniel Jones at this point…
— Logan Hancock (@ProFanLogan) October 18, 2026
Richardson hasn't started a game for the Colts since 2024. Last season, when Jones went down, Leonard and Philip Rivers combined to finish the season at quarterback.
For now, though, it doesn't appear Steichen is willing to make such a move. He said postgame on Sunday that Jones "is our starting quarterback."
"Yes, he is our starting quarterback." Colts HC Shane Steichen on Daniel Jones. https://t.co/hLnFngiBpF
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 18, 2026
Jones admitted postgame that he "forced some stuff that [wasn't] there."
"We didn't play well enough today," Jones said.
Part of #Colts QB Daniel Jones’ postgame presser. https://t.co/EZGp79LXuf
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 18, 2026
If the Colts' 2026 season continues trending downward, it wouldn't be surprising if they see how Richardson has developed, as he was a former first-round pick who has been working in the background for quite some time.
For now, Indianapolis will try to dig out of its 2-4 hole.
Daniel Jones 2026 stats
- Completions-Attempts: 130-218 (59.6%)
- Passing Yards: 1,290
- Passing TDs: 4
- INTs: 6
- Rating: 71.1
- Sacks: 15
- Rushing Yards: 55
- Rushing TDs: 1
Jones is now up to six interceptions on the season, including at least one thrown in five of six games for the Colts. In 2025, Jones threw eight interceptions over 13 games.
He's on pace to post his lowest passer rating (71.1) since his 2023 season with the Giants in which he played six games before tearing his ACL.
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