Earlier this offseason, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said the evaluation of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will begin during spring practices. He offered further details on the team’s quarterback competition at the onset of OTAs. 
“We’re breaking down the reps,” Steichen said (via a team transcript) when asked about how the workload will be split between Richardson and Jones over the course of Organized Team Activities. “I think through OTAs, we’ve got nine good practices. They’ll both get about 170 reps apiece with those guys, with the ones and twos, and we’ll flip-flop them.”
Richardson immediately took on starting duties as a rookie despite his limited playing time in college. The Florida product only managed four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, limiting his time to develop at the NFL level. In 2024, Richardson’s accuracy struggles continued with a completion percentage of just 47.7% and he found himself being replaced by Joe Flacco at one point during the year. Flacco’s departure left Indianapolis in need of a new veteran capable of handling QB1 duties.
That resulted in the Jones deal. His one-year pact has a base value of $14MM, nearly all of which is guaranteed. Incentives are also in place which could increase the former Giant’s 2025 earnings and potentially help his market value for next spring. Of course, a long run with Jones atop the depth chart would be an indication Richardson was unable to earn the starting gig in Year 3.
Such a development would not be welcomed by the team after making Richardson the fourth overall selection in 2023. After the coming season ends, a decision will need to be made on the 23-year-old’s fifth-year option. Exercising it would keep Richardson in place through 2027, although a notable step forward will be needed for such a commitment to be feasible. In the meantime, his attention will be aimed at preparing for a healthy campaign and outperforming Jones.
Midway through his ill-fated Giants extension, the former No. 6 pick was waived. Jones landed a deal with the Vikings to close out the year, but – just like Sam Darnold – he departed on the open market in search of his best chance to serve as a starting quarterback again. A path to that role clearly exists in Indianapolis, and it will be interesting to see if the even split in reps yields a clear frontrunner for the QB1 gig in the near future.
Having to choose between Richardson and Jones is diabolical
Sort of like from the Ghostbusters Film – “Select the Form of your Destructor” quote.
The worst-case scenario may be Daniel Jones being cromulent. Just good enough to keep faint playoff hopes alive, but not good enough to get there or be worth resigning. But good enough they don’t want to throw in Richardson and let him learn as part of a lost season.
choose. choose and perish
I think Jones is going to win this job. Richardson’s only advantages are age, rushing, and money. But Jones’s money is largely guaranteed already, so they’re going to pay him one way or another, and if he hits the incentives, it’s likely that the Colts are playing well enough to warrant the extra money. And in terms of rushing, Richardson has only averaged about 11 yards per game more than Jones, while Jones is unambiguously superior in the passing game (which really says something about how bad Richardson has been). So age is the only real advantage. Jones is what he is, Richardson could still grow into something more, but I doubt Steichen & friends have the leeway to wait for that to happen.
As a colts fan we should be hoping Jones blossoms, because whether or not he wins the job he will be playing. Richardson will never stay healthy
Just as I get to thinking how difficult it must be to be a Browns fan due to the QB situation, I see this article… Hope the Colts have a good o-line and running game.
There’s a new owner running the show in Indy so I’m just going to assume that Ballard and Steichen are lame ducks.
Pretty dark comment, but it’s staying in the family with daughters who were already involved so I wouldn’t expect a major change unless they finish at the bottom of the AFC South.
I think Jim Irsay might have been considering a reboot anyway. The team is a mess and needs to start fresh. 10 consecutive loses in Jacksonville is reason enough to pull the plug on the current regime.
I feel bad for Anthony Richardson. The kid was a major development project that should have never been drafted before the third or fourth round. Just not enough practice time at the pro level to have a kid that still needs to be taught the very basics of being a QB.
I hope he’s investing his money, because if he doesn’t take a huge leap in the next year, he’ll be playing in the UFL or Canada.
Whoever advised him to go to the NFL with as little college playing time as he had needs to be blacklisted from ever speaking to a young athlete ever again. Sure he got a nice payday as a top five pick, but looks like that will be the only big contract he ever gets.
I guess there’s just one question we’re all going to be left wondering until the end of the preseason: will the Browns waive the odd man out of their four man competition so he can start for the Colts?
This is likely the last year for Steichen, as the Colts are going to crater. He is lucky he plays in the league’s most fouled up division.
The Colts have to make some major changes because fans in Indy are far more excited about the Pacers right now.