Jaylon Jones stood on the sideline, watching as Anthony Richardson connected with tight end Kylen Granson on a 40-yard pass immediately followed up by a 29-yard touchdown run from running back Jonathan Taylor. Jones celebrated with the rest of his teammates when Taylor crossed into the end zone, but he had even more reason to be excited than most for the Colts' first touchdown of the afternoon.
After all, he was the one who helped set it all in motion.
Not even five minutes before, the Colts cornerback read Chicago Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams' pass like a book and sailed in front of his intended receiver, snagging the football and running five extra yards before going out of bounds. Jones' first career interception set the Colts up at their own 30-yard line, and the rest is history.
"This is why you do it," the second-year cornerback said after the Colts' 21-16 win over the Bears Sunday afternoon. "There's not any better game than this one. I'm just glad I could be there for the brotherhood, for the team."
Sunday's victory was the Colts' first of the 2024 season, making Jones' career day even more special; he knew he played a big part in securing the win.
"It's huge," wide receiver Alec Pierce said about Jones' interception. "I think it really brings a spark, and we just know we have to capitalize off those opportunities."
Jones' interception in the second quarter, ending in Taylor's touchdown, wasn't the only opportunity he gave the offense, though. In the third quarter, Jones had his second career interception, and it was even more impressive than the first. The highlight-reel play came after the Colts were called for a roughing the kicker penalty during a Bears punt return, a call that gave back possession to the Bears. The Colts challenged the call, believing the ball tipped off running back Tyler Goodson's fingertips, but it was upheld. Jones' interception came on the very next play, and while the Colts' offense couldn't turn it into points on the board, the momentum they got back meant just as much.
As safety Nick Cross jumped up and knocked the ball off of Bears' wide receiver Rome Odunze's hands, Jones leapt up behind the two and made a one-handed grab as he was coming back down to the ground, with just enough time to make sure he got both feet in bounds before tumbling into the Colts' sideline, landing among his cheering teammates.
"Toe-drag swag," head coach Shane Steichen called it.
Jones certainly has some swag to him – his celebrations after his interceptions show that – but that play he credits to his background as a receiver.
"I used to play receiver in high school," the cornerback said. "Could've went to college and played receiver but decided to stay on defense because I love defense."
There are a couple things Jones seems to love just as much as playing defense, though: proving himself and helping his team succeed. In both of the Colts' losses this season, Jones has been in prime positions to make impact plays just like his interceptions against the Bears. He just couldn't quite see them through.
"When he had that play last week on that third down when he gave up (against Green Bay), I told him like 'Listen, I believe in you, I trust you,'" linebacker Zaire Franklin said. "'And you making them type of plays is going to be the difference between who you want to be and who you are in this league.' So today he was able to make those type of plays."
"That's special," Franklin added. "He's that type of player, that's the type of guy he can be. He's our corner 1, and I trust him in that spot at all times."
For a young player like Jones to have the belief of a seven-year veteran, and team captain, means everything.
"I appreciate my vets staying in my ear, being in my corner," Jones said. "Just saying 'Keep going, man, you're destined for this, you're meant for this.'"
Jones knew his teammates and coaches believed in him. He also knew that he had to be patient and keep working hard, and his time would come. Sunday was his time.
"When you play this game, you put in so much work to make those plays," Jones said. "Just staying confident in yourself, staying disciplined, and just know that (if) you do your job and execute, the play is going to come to you. I really think that's what it is."
Every time Jones steps out on the football field, he's ready to make a play – in fact, he expects it of himself. The young cornerback has always had confidence in himself. Now, he just has even more.
