ESPN: Steelers Regime "More Solid" As Colts' Daniel Jones Should Choose Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have an offense that should excite fans for the upcoming 2026 season under new head coach Mike McCarthy. Under former offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, the Steelers often ran heavy sets, featuring six offensive linemen and/or multiple tight ends. When the Steelers were at their best, they ran the ball well to set up the pass effectively, with a career year from running back Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell made up for the Steelers' lack of resources at the receiver position, but more so for the lack of mobility at the quarterback position. While future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers was often a statue in the pocket, he played the position with decisiveness and effectiveness, leading the Steelers to the AFC North title in 2025. However, in the high-powered spread-out West Coast offense under McCarthy, the Steelers may have better options elsewhere.

Former New York Giants and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones had a career-saving season last year. "Indiana Jones" turned a Colts team without postseason expectations into a legitimate Super Bowl contender before he tore his Achilles tendon. The Colts quarterback is facing a tough road to recovery, but at just 28 years old, Jones has youth on his side.

ESPN's Chris Canty recently gave his thoughts on a Daniel Jones-Steelers pairing on Unsportsmanlike.

"I don't think it's a mistake if he decided he wanted to go play with Pittsburgh," said Canty. "I would say that regime is on more solid footing than the one he currently plays for. So if the Pittsburgh guys decide that they have confidence in me to be their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future, why would I not want to go to that program?"

The Colts loaded up for what they considered a Super Bowl window last season. They traded their first-round pick for the next two seasons to acquire lockdown cornerback Sauce Gardner. However, their fortune quickly changed after the Jones injury, with the Colts going from Super Bowl contenders to missing the playoffs altogether. The Colts' future is much more of a complete unknown than it was before, with the Steelers having organizational success that's evident by their 22 consecutive seasons of non-losing records.

The Colts decided to use the transition tag on Jones as opposed to the franchise tag. It was an interesting decision for the Colts; the franchise tag would've cost the team another $6 million more than the over $37 million the transition tag is already paying Jones. The difference is that Jones now has the right to sign another offer sheet with another team, and the Colts would have the right to match that offer. Jones is expected to have an influx of QB-needy teams submitting offer sheets; however, his long-term value coming off arguably the worst injury you can have at the quarterback position is very much up for debate.

Steelers Could Get An Ideal Quarterback For McCarthy's Offense In Jones

McCarthy's offense is as high-flying as they come, and with a true duel-threat quarterback that can make any throw on the field, it has limitless potential. Before his injury, Jones was electric with the Colts, dominating the opposing defenses and proving that he was the quarterback the Giants expected him to be when they drafted him. Jones was quickly one of the best stories in the NFL before his injury, and he has the chance to come back from adversity once again and prove all the doubters wrong.

Since the Colts used the transition tag on Jones, there's a realistic chance a team can make an offer sheet high enough for the Colts not to match. If the Steelers view Jones as a legitimate franchise quarterback option, there's no reason not to take a big swing at him. Whether the Steelers feel this way about Jones is a complete unknown, but at least it's something to monitor as we head into free agency.

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