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Struggling Colts QB Daniel Jones admits he's 'not happy' watching Indy's front office strip away teammates

The 2-7 Colts traded Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Keenan Allen, and Josh Downs over two weeks

The captain of the sinking 2-7 Colts ship is not happy.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones admitted he is frustrated watching the front office gut his supporting cast.

Before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline passed, acting GM Ed Dodds traded away guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and receivers Keenan Allen and Josh Downs over two weeks.

Jones, 29, made his displeasure clear when facing reporters on Wednesday.

"I mean, honestly, you’re not happy to see it, right?" Jones said. "You’re a player, and you’re going out there competing and doing everything you can to win games. So you’re not happy to see a lot of those decisions, but like I said, it’s outside of our control, and our job is to play, be prepared, and play well. So, like I said, we got a lot of trust in the guys coming in to those spots, and we’ll be ready to go."

Daniel Jones makes pass
Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Jones is stuck throwing to backups, though his own play led to the teardown. Had DJ delivered, Indy would be buying instead of selling.

Through nine games, the $88 million quarterback has six touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a dismal 68.9 passer rating.

Meanwhile, ex-Colts celebrated getting out. Former Indy wideout Josh Downs posted a Vince Carter tears-of-joy GIF on X right after his Tuesday trade to Kansas City.

"It's great to join a team like this with so much history, so much winning, in their past and even now," Downs told reporters on his first day with KC.

gettyimages-2253760581.jpg
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon of the Indianapolis Colts. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Jonathan Taylor stands for the national anthem at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jonathan Taylor No. 28 of the Indianapolis Colts stands for the national anthem before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 8, 2026, in Indianapolis, Ind. (Getty Images)

Indy's biggest miss was reportedly rejecting a second- and fifth-round offer from the Giants for running back Jonathan Taylor, then stalling on a trade offer for Grover Stewart until the suitor pulled out.

With their 2027 first-round pick already owed to the Jets from the Sauce Gardner trade, the Colts' front office needed to stockpile draft picks.

Holding onto Jones, Taylor, and Stewart turns the rest of this season into pointless mileage on veterans who should have fetched picks.

Daniel Jones warms up
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on Sept. 28, 2025. (Eric Thayer/AP Photo)

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

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