INDIANAPOLIS -- Daniel Jones is not paid to play slow-pitch softball. But, competitor that he is, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback was going to give it a go during his first at-bat in a recent charity softball game that featured the Colts and Indiana Pacers. With Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on the mound at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis, Jones took his best swing and made solid contact. The ball soared, and Jones paused for a moment to admire its flight. Once the ball cleared the short, makeshift fence in right field for a home run, the crowd cheered as Jones rounded the bases. The thousands attending seemed to embrace the opportunity to celebrate Jones. They likely hope there soon will be further opportunities to do the same down the street at Lucas Oil Stadium."I realized pretty quickly when I got here last year just how supportive these fans are," Jones said. It was a much different reception than anything Jones witnessed during his final season playing in New York, when he was once jeered and booed by Giants fans while walking to his car at Met Life Stadium after one of his final games there in 2024.

Now, two contracts and one torn Achilles later, Jones is exactly where he wants to be. And if he can meet expectations this season -- bounce back from the torn right Achilles and reignite the Colts' offense as he did last season before his injury -- Jones thinks he might have found a long-term home."That's always the goal," Jones said, "to be somewhere long term and build something."Jones has reversed his fortunes before, and the Colts are betting he can do it again. He bounced back after his tumultuous tenure in New York, reaching a point where now his likeness adorns the side of a 33-story luxury hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Finishing 2025 with, easily, the best season of his career did wonders for rehabilitating his reputation.

"I'm really excited to see how everything pans out for him," said Haliburton, who has developed a bit of a kinship with Jones as Haliburton rebounds from his own Achilles tear. "I know he's going to do great, and I'm really excited that he's back. And I know the city is, as well."But can Jones do it again and put together another impressive season after his injury? Everything that has happened in recent months suggests the answer could be yes. Jones commanded the first-team offense during training camp, missing no days of practice, and he remains on track to play against the Baltimore Ravens in the Colts' opener Sept. 13 (1 p.m. ET, CBS).