- NFL. Before the Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes received the worst possible news: the Chiefs' quarterback is facing serious problems
- NFL. Indiana champion Fernando Mendoza credits Tom Brady for his success on the field
There's no doubt that the state of Indiana played a starring role this season, both in NCAA Football and the NFL. It was surprising, as no one expected the Indiana Hoosiers to become national champions or the Indianapolis Colts to be contenders-until injuries, especially Daniel Jones's, derailed their campaigns.
The Indianapolis Colts were the best team in the NFL during the first half of the season, with a 7-1 record. Nobody was playing at their level, and Daniel Jones looked unstoppable. However, in December, the quarterback suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ending the team's playoff hopes. They ultimately missed the playoffs, despite having a 95% chance at one point.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Hoosiers delivered one of those unexpected stories. At the start of the year, no one was talking about them, but they finished the season 13-0 and had spectacular playoffs, culminating in a championship victory over the University of Miami. Additionally, their quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to be the number one pick in the upcoming Draft.
The Colts shared a photo of Fernando Mendoza and Daniel Jones together
Before Daniel Jones's injury on December 7, it seemed certain that the Colts would extend his contract, after signing him for one year and $14 million in free agency. Following his stellar performance, the franchise was confident about building around him for the future-but that painful moment against the Jaguars made the organization rethink its plans.
Despite the injury, there is speculation that the Colts want Daniel Jones back in 2026. On their X account, they posted a photo featuring Jones and Fernando Mendoza with the message: "the QBs of Indiana." It's likely Indianapolis will reach an agreement with the former Giants quarterback to be their starter for at least the next season.
A curious detail: a Colts fan asked Grok, the AI assistant, to leave only the quarterback in the image who would win a Super Bowl. The response was Daniel Jones, while Fernando Mendoza was removed from the image.
In the end, these are just predictions, but one thing is certain: Fernando Mendoza will be selected by the Raiders with the first overall pick. However, his journey is long compared to Daniel Jones, who already has a competitive team in Indianapolis. The Raiders will begin rebuilding their roster to compete in a division that includes the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs.