It’s been a while since the Golden Knights have gotten off to anything but a rousing start to the season. Each of the last five years, Vegas has won at least nine of their first 15 games, and in three of them, they reached double digits. This year’s team is the first one since 2018-19 (Year 2) in which the team has lost more games than they’ve won in the first 15.
Record Through 15 Games
25-26: 7-4-4, 18 points
24-25: 9-4-2, 20 points
23-24: 12-2-1, 25 points
22-23: 13-2-0, 26 points
21-22: 9-6-0, 18 points *Coach fired after season*
20-21: 10-4-1, 21 points
Even more concerning is the record at home, which has taken a major hit on this 1-3-1 homestand. It ends with a final game against the Islanders on Thursday. VGK’s 4-3-2 record is tied with the 2019-20 (Year 3) for the worst ever.
Home Record In First 9 Home Games
25-26: 4-3-2
24-25: 8-1-0
23-24: 7-1-1
22-23: 6-3-0
21-22: 5-4-0 *Coach fired after season*
20-21: 8-2-1
19-20: 4-3-2 *Coach Fired Midseason*
18-19: 5-2-1
As unfamiliar as this is to the Golden Knights, it’s even more unfamiliar to Bruce Cassidy.
Cassidy Teams Record After 15 Games
25-26: 7-4-4, 18 points
24-25: 9-4-2, 20 points
Cassidy’s teams have reached the playoffs each of the previous nine seasons, and only once have his teams failed to win more games than they’ve lost in his first 15 games. In Cassidy’s first season in Boston, the team started 6-7-4 and was in 27th place in the NHL after six weeks. Then, they ripped off 43 wins in their next 60 games to finish with 112 points, ahead of the inaugural season Golden Knights.
All of this isn’t to say the sky is falling in Vegas after the 7-4-4 start. It’s not. The Golden Knights still hold a .600 points percentage, which would be plenty good enough to qualify for the playoffs. In fact, no team in modern NHL history has ever failed to reach the playoffs with at least a .600 points percentage.
What this is saying, though, is that they are on much thinner ice than they’re used to at this point. The last few seasons, VGK have experienced what we’ve dubbed a “midseason malaise.” Last year’s team went 11-11-5 from January to mid-March. The year before, they went 12-17-2 from mid-December to early March. And even the Stanley Cup champion team was 16-16-4 after the nearly perfect 13-2-0 start.
There’s a reasonable chance that when the Golden Knights hit the ice next, they’ll be on the outside of the playoff cut line looking in. It’s a long season, and playoff spots aren’t awarded in November, but there’s no denying the fact that the pressure ramps up on teams with high expectations that aren’t in the position they believe they should be.
This team will feel it.
They need to start channelling it into better results soon.
“The Colts are locked in—Daniel Jones is primed to cash in big.” Those are the words from NFL insiders who believe the Indianapolis Colts could be on the verge of locking up Daniel Jones long-term after his stellar performance in 2025. With an 8-2 record and Jones sitting among the league’s elite quarterbacks, it’s clear that Indianapolis sees him as their future. But the real question is, will the Colts make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the upcoming free-agent market?
When the Colts signed Jones to a one-year “prove-it” contract in the offseason, the future of their franchise quarterback seemed uncertain. But after 10 weeks of electrifying football, Jones is proving that he’s not just the quarterback the Colts need, but one who could soon be one of the most sought-after players on the open market.
Jones has been nothing short of spectacular, ranking ninth in the NFL for passer rating (101.6) and third in passing yards per game (265.9). He’s also leading the league in total passing yards with 2,659 yards so far this season. Combine that with his 20 total touchdowns—passing and rushing—and Jones has undeniably become a
But here’s the catch: could his success lead to a blockbuster contract, and should the Colts commit long-term?
Why the Colts Might Keep Jones—And Pay Big to Do It
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jones could soon become the highest-earning quarterback in the 2026 free agent class. “The Colts appear all-in on keeping Jones long term,” Fowler wrote, noting that the Colts have seen the blueprint of former top-10 picks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold thrive after changing teams. With a similar trajectory, Jones would be justified in asking for a deal worth around $100 million over three years, and many insiders believe he’s about to cash in on a deal that reflects his elite play.
Jones has shown a remarkable ability to adjust and thrive in a system that features star running back Jonathan Taylor, who leads the league with 1,139 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. The dynamic backfield pairing has allowed Jones to play as a facilitator, maintaining his timing and executing with precision in both the passing and rushing games.
But Does Jones Have What It Takes to Earn a Long-Term Deal?
As much as his numbers shine, there are still questions about whether Jones can keep up his momentum throughout the rest of the season. Critics have pointed to his inconsistency during the Colts’ final two games before the Week 11 bye, where he threw six fumbles (three lost) and four interceptions. It’s been a reminder that while Jones has been outstanding, his ability to limit mistakes in high-pressure situations will be key in whether Indianapolis takes the plunge.
As ESPN’s Dan Graziano points out, the Colts are likely to extend Jones if his performance continues to improve. However, if he falters, his value might plummet. The Colts have a decision to make: can they trust Jones to continue playing at this elite level? Or will the pressure of a long-term commitment cause his performance to slip?
If Jones keeps playing like a top-10 QB, the Colts could be writing the next chapter in Indianapolis football history. But if the fumbles and interceptions continue, they could face a tough decision in a high-stakes situation.
What’s Next for Daniel Jones?
Jones has undoubtedly earned his spot among the league’s top quarterbacks this season. But with the contract year looming and an uncertain future ahead, the Colts will need to weigh the risks and rewards carefully. The clock is ticking, and Indianapolis must decide whether Jones is truly the franchise leader they’ve been searching for, or if they’ll look elsewhere when free agency opens in March 2026.
One thing is for sure: whatever decision the Colts make, it’s going to be one of the most talked-about moves of the NFL offseason. All eyes are on Jones as he enters the final stretch of a season that could shape the course of his career.
The question remains: will the Colts go all-in on Daniel Jones, or will they let him walk into the free-agent frenzy? Only time will tell.