The recently reeling Indianapolis Colts were already concerned about their prospects to get into the postseason, and that wasn't aided by a tough in-division loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14 -- a third consecutive defeat and a fourth loss in five games.
But now, Indy is dealing with arguably the most brutal news it could have had at this point in the season: losing resurgent quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles tear suffered against the Jags.
It's an awful setback, both for Indianapolis' own bounce-back this year from a frustrating finish in 2024, and for Jones, too. The embattled quarterback was a legit contender for league MVP earlier this season after having turned his otherwise floundering career prior to joining the Colts.
Of course, the San Francisco 49ers are paying attention.
Riley Leonard, Jones' backup, will be under center for Indy down the stretch, hoping to salvage what's now an 8-5 record and third-place standing in the AFC South.
And the Niners get the chance to face Leonard, not Jones, when they travel to Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 16. Indianapolis still boasts the NFL's No. 5-ranked scoring offense, albeit almost entirely influenced by Jones' resurgence up to this point.
Needless to say, San Francisco's defense doesn't quite have as many concerns with Leonard under center instead of Jones.
But, the quarterback's injury potentially casts a longer shadow over the 49ers than just Week 16.
Colts suddenly become potential suitors for 49ers' Mac Jones
Any Achilles tear is brutal, but Jones' injury is arguably worse, given the time when it happened and being so late in the season. A free agent in 2026, Jones' brutal setback not only endangers his ability to be back on the field to start next season, but it also likely just cost him millions of dollars on the open market.
And it likely leaves Indy with no other choice but to search elsewhere for an offseason replacement, even if Jones is brought back on the (relative) cheap.
The Niners do, of course, have a surplus of starting-caliber quarterbacks.
Mac Jones, who helped San Francisco go 5-3 this season while its starter, Brock Purdy, dealt with a painful turf-toe injury, remains under contract through next year. Yet the relative shortage of plausible free-agent veterans this offseason and a not-so-impressive 2026 NFL Draft class of signal-callers both lead to the increased likelihood of the 49ers' own Jones being a trade asset.
Some teams, such as the Minnesota Vikings, could be interested. Maybe Indianapolis would be now, too.
The Colts aren't in rebuild mode. With MVP-candidate running back Jonathan Taylor playing at an other-worldly level, a solid defense in place and Shane Steichen trying to preserve his job as head coach (he likely did that this season), pivoting to a possible offseason trade with the Niners for one Jones to replace another Jones makes plenty of sense.