When the Colts shocked the NFL world by trading for All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner, quarterback Daniel Jones found out like the rest of us, on his phone, between meetings. Shortly after the news broke, he sat down with me to talk about what that moment meant inside the building.

In this episode, Daniel opens up about what big moves like that say about a team’s belief in itself, and how he’s learned to lead through constant change. From the chemistry he’s building in a new locker room to the art of resetting after both wins and mistakes, this is a candid look at Daniel’s composure, leadership, and belief.

What You’ll Hear:

• Reaction to the Sauce Gardner trade (02:32)
• Adjusting to Indianapolis and new teammates (06:04)
• How Daniel stays even-keeled through ups and downs (09:24)
• Building chemistry off the field (11:26)
• The power of relationships in the locker room (14:02)
• Belief, composure, and focusing on the next play  (24:56)

Tune in to hear Daniel share about how he builds relationships and why they matter, what life is like from week to week in the NFL, and how his mindset shapes the work he does. This one is for anyone who wants to know what it feels like to stay calm in the spotlight.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TVdyL41jLqg 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/daniel-jones-23 

Mentioned in the Episode

Faith in Football with the Buffalo Bills from Episode 16

Check out more from Daniel Jones: 

Follow Daniel Jones on Instagram 

Check out the Indianapolis Colts on Instagram 

[00:00:04] Daniel: No, that's a good question. I think there's a lot of things, I mean, we've talked about relationships, some, I think that is, is a huge part of, the NFL of success, but also just like enjoying coming to work every day and, enjoying playing in the NFL or the relationships you're able to build with coaches, with teammates.

[00:00:29] Lindsay: Hey guys, welcome to this episode of Things No One Tells You. We also love to call it TNOTY. And I am, I'm just super pumped for this one because it's hot off the presses. And by that I mean there's a little bit of an unexpected, breaking news situation that occurred here, which is what I love.

[00:01:08] So watching him there and go through those ups and downs, and then seeing the success that he has found with the Colts. Has been really exciting. When I saw Daniel Jones at the Indy 500, it was, it was surprising because I just, I don't know. I didn't think he would be there, and so I was like, oh yeah, of course you're here because you literally just signed with this team.

[00:01:52] I think that's really awesome. Now, flash forward to. I'm sitting down to get ready to have this conversation with Daniel, and literally within the hour before we get the breaking news that all pro cornerback sauce Gardner has been traded from the Jets to the Colts. So really, this, in my opinion, is an indication of just what the Colts are expecting and hoping.

[00:02:34] The Colts are acquiring all pro cornerback sauce, Gardner in a trade with the jets for two first rounders. What was your reaction when you heard that news?

[00:02:59] Like everybody but excited, he is a great player and haven't played against him in a game. Played against him in practice, in New York, in training camp, a couple of times. And yeah, he's an impressive player. So excited to, get him, for sure. And then, we traded, AD Mitchell, and, he's a great player. I'm really excited for AD as he gets the opportunity in New York. He's a talented player, great dude, and tough to see him go, but, excited to see what he will do in New York.

[00:03:34] Daniel: Yeah, I was just, I was in the building and, you see, he saw, I saw it on social media, and then I left the quarterback meeting room. And that's what everyone was talking about.

[00:03:50] Daniel: I mean, I think, he'll, help us a lot for sure. He is a, great man to man cover guy. Lou wants to play, match coverage, man coverage, and that's, I think plays right into sauce, his strengths. So, yeah, I think that'll be good for us.

[00:04:24] Daniel: Yeah, I think as a player, seeing the team make a move like that, yeah, it gives you a lot of confidence and, kind of, Knows the, coaches, everybody, we're all in and we're, doing everything we can to, to win as many games as we can.

[00:04:47] Lindsay: I was, I was thinking back to seeing you at the Indy 500 this year. So that was, a few months before the start of the season, right? And, I just thought like, wow, we're sitting there swapping ideas about where to go in indie, and now here you are, in the position with the success that this team has had this season.

[00:05:07] Daniel: It's been fun. It's been a lot of fun. I think, yeah, at that point I didn't know a ton about Indianapolis and, the city and I'm still learning and still trying to get used to, used to it. But I've really enjoyed being here. And the people are awesome.

[00:05:39] Lindsay: Do you have any favorite spots already?

[00:06:04] Lindsay: Well, so you were with a handful of your teammates, that day. And so I, I also was just curious, like when you came on board with the team, like what does that look like for you? What, how did you handle that scenario and what has that been like in terms of growing the chemistry, and really building that camaraderie?

[00:07:04] hanging out on the weekends, whatever it is. I think, that time is really important to, get to know guys, build relationships, 'cause that, that, that stuff definitely does pay off during the season.

[00:07:22] Daniel: I don't know. I don't know if I have like a real, like, thought out, step-by-step process to,

[00:07:31] It's like when you're the new kid in school, kind of, right? Yeah. But

[00:07:50] I think that's just an a, a product of, spending time and, trying to. Trying to get to know guys.

[00:08:15] Daniel: yeah, I don't know. I think the feel of the team, I mean, I would say it's a tight, group, like A lot of like-minded guys who care a lot about football, and, football's a priority and, care a lot about having a good locker room, care a lot about, Having a, tight team, I think, that, that is intentional. In a lot of ways it takes guys who, who want to do that, who want to spend the time, who want to prioritize a lot of those relationships. And we have a lot of those guys. So I think that's had, that's shown up on the field, for us.

[00:09:04] Lindsay: I know that people say that you are very good at being even keel, right? Like not getting too high, not getting too low, and what, how do you do that?

[00:09:24] Daniel: Well, I think part of it's just kind of like personality is kind of the way I, I feel like the way I am and the way, yeah, just kind of naturally, a,m but, think, not trying to get outside of that too much and just kind of being comfortable with that.

[00:10:00] I remember as a rookie, it was just like you win one game and it's my first game, we played Tampa at Tampa and we won and it was crazy. And you're, everything is, is. Times a hundred, and you're on top of the world. And then, I think we won the following week, and then went through a tough stretch and didn't win much.

[00:10:33] Lindsay: So when that's happening, like, can you take us inside? That is it, what is that juxtaposition really like?

[00:10:51] I think that feeling, just working all week for it, knowing how hard it is to win, and then going back in the locker room with the team and celebrating, is definitely, it's what you work for. It's a real high. And then I think, after that it's, you gotta be able to get back on Monday and reset.

[00:11:26] Lindsay: What would you say is the thing no one tells you that you have experienced on your journey so far that you think is valuable for other people to learn from?

[00:12:03] How, what that can do on the field and off the field and, fortunate in the NFL you're playing in, You think about growing up and, a lot of people played sports growing up and for me at least, sports was kind of how I built relationships, how I got to know people, kind of what you do in your free time with your friends and in the summer or whatever it is.

[00:12:47] I guess, and, one way to say is just, I just really enjoy being in a locker room and how special it is to kind of be in a locker room on a team with, a group of guys.

[00:13:04] I think I had a podcast conversation about faith in football with the Buffalo Bills and their chaplain, and a player, Lorenzo Alexander, and we talked about. The locker room environment. And Lorenzo was talking about when he was a young player and how he really didn't know at that point where he fit in because he was looking at these older guys and he was like, I wanna, I want more of that, like with what their lifestyle was with families, et cetera.

[00:13:54] and for him that's, it's a good thing, but it's. I just think that's really fascinating, and now I lost my train of thought, but I really,

[00:14:24] Lindsay: So when you talk about the relationships with Shane, your head coach, Steichen, what is it, how would you describe the relationship and the communication between both of you? Because I have heard that his communication is really great, nd I don't know what that means in football. What does that mean?

[00:15:45] He'll go through the game plan. He will say, What about this play? What about that play? I want you to think about, looking at this guy to this guy on this play. And then, as we get later in the week, it's a lot of. He thinks through how he's gonna call a game.

[00:16:26] Come out of the break a little bit differently. I think all that kind of stuff, and the communication throughout the week, to get ready to play on Sunday, goes a long way.

[00:16:45] And, their, their season may have ended on an interception, which was like, oh man, it's so much harder to watch. But they're such great players, right? Yeah. And so one of the kids said. He was like, ask like, what, how does he handle it if he throws an interception? What? And I thought that's actually fascinating, 'cause I've not ever necessarily talked to a quarterback, certainly a starting quarterback in the NFL, about that.

[00:17:16] Daniel: I think you get better at it. It's, never easy if you're playing flag football or if you're playing in the NFL. I think what I've tried to do is kind of just get back to like, what do you need to do on the next play, and what's important kind of in that moment on that play.

[00:17:54] I need to look at that guy, and I need to throw the ball with conviction. It sounds simple, but it's like if a good, if something good happened, that's also taking my attention somewhere besides, like, what does this next play need to happen? And your mind's going to drift, I think, through a game.

[00:18:21] Lindsay: But so sorta like flipping a switch.

[00:18:30] What do I need to do right here? But I don't know if flag foot, if they're, if they're, working on that too much in flag football, just have fun. Let it rip. I feel like.

[00:18:45] Like they get, it's like they get so invested, and it's like, especially as a parent, it's interesting. Yeah. To watch it. The other one that someone said was, How would you describe your journey, so far? Up to getting to the Colts, how would you describe what is, what your career path has been like?

[00:19:29] But I, I don't know. I mean, I guess I, how would I describe it? I don't know. I just, yeah. Learning and growing. I think it's not, it hasn't always been the smoothest, but I do feel really fortunate to be here with this team and playing for Shane, playing with these guys in the locker room, and being in Indianapolis.

[00:20:04] Lindsay: What do you think, Helped the most with prepping you for where you are now in terms of your time in New York? Like what?

[00:20:18] Daniel: One, I think, the appreciation for how hard it is to win. Talking about being in a locker room on Sunday and enjoying those wins. Just knowing how hard it is and what all goes into it.

[00:20:55] But, just how hard is it to win in the NFL?

[00:21:06] Daniel: The travel, obviously, is the biggest thing. And, we'll leave Thursday night, wake up Friday morning, in Berlin, and then, go to a walkthrough, and then you're, you're kind of one day away from the game.

[00:21:42] Lindsay: What are three things that no one knows about you?

[00:22:01] Lindsay: Like super athletic, though not just like you're running the, like you come from a seriously athletic family.

[00:22:23] We were playing a sport. And I think that had a lot to do with it, I think we all kind of helped each other. That way. It was a fun way, to grow up. But yeah, they all played sports. What else? I don't, I like music. I'd say that's something I'm always trying to find new music and new bands, here and there.

[00:22:48] Daniel: My favorite genre I listen to mostly like, I guess, like country type, folk type, southern rock-ish, but different, genres. Not all one thing.

[00:23:06] Daniel: right now. So last Friday, a band, or Kolton Moore and The Clever Few were in Indianapolis. I went and listened to them. They're pretty good.

[00:23:18] Daniel: I listened to a band called Buffalo Traffic Jam recently. They're pretty good. I'd say my all-time favorite band is probably Kings of Leon or Zach Bryan. I love Zach Bryan. Listen to Zach Bryan all the time. Yes. But yeah, I'm always looking for new music, so if anyone's got some music suggestions, I'm all ears.

[00:23:45] Daniel: Oh, one more fun fact. I don't know if I have another fun fact. That's about it. I don't, yeah, that's all I got.

[00:24:15] Daniel: Yeah, I mean, I think, certainly confident in our team and, what we can do, I think, and, how good we are. How good do we think we are? But I think, for the most part, I think we've done a really good job focusing on the week we're in, and that's what we will, I think, continue to do.

[00:24:56] Lindsay: My very last question, do you think there's something that you, that has set you apart in terms of, like, is it belief, is it, what is like one of the key characteristics that you think has come into play for you in terms of being such a successful quarterback at this point? Besides the preparation?

[00:25:47] Lindsay: Is there one person in particular that comes to your mind?

[00:25:58] I still talk to him all the time and, he's been as big an influence as anybody. On me. I think Jason Garrett's a guy, a coach I had in New York who I'm still very close to, who's done a ton. To help me and, been supportive. But there's, I mean, there's so many people I could name and think of teammates I've had in the past, so many people.

[00:26:27] Daniel: We had some video games, like on the weekends, I think. Okay. For like an hour or two or, I don't know. Are you strict on video games?

[00:26:48] Daniel: We, and that was like at the beginning. I mean, we were always pushing the limits on that. So I think there was always some restriction on video games.

[00:27:03] Lindsay: Like, do your homework first type deal or like do the thing.

[00:27:07] Lindsay: Yeah. Well, because what was the game of choice for you at that point? Was it,

[00:27:17] Lindsay: There you go. Thank you. You're the best. Yeah.

[00:27:21] Lindsay: So also, just a note, the loss that the Colts had at the hands of the Steelers was not pretty for them. And so it is interesting to think about, could this be a bounce back game against the Falcons, and what are we gonna see?

[00:27:51] Favorite joke for this one because of the theme, I did, the football coach go to the bank. To get his quarterback? No, honestly, listen, we know a lot of things can happen any given Sunday or other day that a game is played in the NFL. But I love to see hard work pay off, and I believe that is what we're all watching now.

[00:28:32] So don't forget, subscribe, let me know what you're liking, what you wanna hear more of. And as always, thank you for watching and listening to Things No One Tells You. See you next time. Thanks so much for joining me. I can't wait to see you back here next week. Please don't forget, follow, and subscribe to Things No One Tells You.