Now that the general manager is gone, is everyone on the block for the Indianapolis Colts? Jim Nantz is preaching patience.
The longtime CBS announcer joined the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday, Oct. 20. He believes the Colts should not have a fire sale and that quarterback Daniel Jones remains hobbled by the Achilles tendon injury he suffered last December.
"You've got a guy who, nationally, still doesn't get the respect (he deserves). I'm talking about J.T., Jonathan Taylor," Nantz said. "You cannot give up on the next two or three years and do a fire sale right now. You've got a guy that is a great, great player."
Taylor — who has 492 rushing yards (4.0 per carry), 7 touchdowns and 15 receptions — signed a contract extension in the offseason, and he will count about $44 million toward the Colts' salary cap through the 2028 season, according to Spotrac.
Nantz also noted another veteran who remains on top of his game.
"Look at DeForest Buckner. He's come back this year," Nantz said, saying his play reminds him of a "Benjamin Button thing." "They've got some guys on both sides that can play."
Buckner, 32, has 26 tackles and leads the Colts with 4 sacks, and he has 3 passes defended. He is in the final year of a contract that counts $26.6 million toward the salary cap, according to Spotrac.
While Nantz doesn't expect a long winning streak, he believes the Colts can still compete.
"They look like a team that would have projected 8-9, 9-8," he said. "I wouldn't give up on it yet."
Jim Nantz: Colts quarterback Daniel Jones still affected by Achilles injury
Jones is struggling this season, completing 59.6% of his passes for 1,290 yards, 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He has been sacked 15 times, including 6 in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans. Jones has 55 rushing yards with 1 touchdown.
Nantz believes there's a chance for Jones to recapture the magic from early in the 2025 season.
"We saw him at his best at the start last year, then we know what happened. He didn't finish the year, had it taken away with injury," Nantz said. "I know this isn't going to be a popular take: He's not all the way back from that Achilles injury. This was a guy who used to be able to beat you a little bit with his legs.
"The guy was a threat. He's not now. (Defenses) are stacking the box because there's no threat on the outside."
Jones counts $46.8 million toward the 2027 salary cap, and his dead cap (money he would be owed if the Colts release him before next season) is $35.2 million, according to Spotrac.
"The Indianapolis Colts still have some great players..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 20, 2026
They've got guys on both sides of the ball that can really play..
I wouldn't give up on things yet" ~ Jim Nantz#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/ZZYsQHSx1M
"Daniel Jones isn't all the way back from that injury..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 20, 2026
They're really stacking the box against this Colts team right now" ~ Jim Nantz #PMSLivehttps://t.co/Umz7VlHQ03pic.twitter.com/sSCiwYuAiL
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: CBS' Jim Nantz says Indianapolis Colts should not give up on Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones