Anthony Richardson entered the NFL with just 13 college starts under his belt. His game was marked by inconsistency and accuracy concerns—there was plenty of raw talent, but also plenty of development needed.
The Colts chose to look past those flaws. Instead, they were captivated by Richardson’s elite physical tools. In hindsight, he might have made more sense as a mid-round project. Instead, Indianapolis selected him with the fourth overall pick.
“I didn’t want to look up and watch him be a superstar somewhere else,” said Colts GM Chris Ballard in a post-draft team documentary.
Nearly two years later, Ballard’s tone had shifted. This offseason, he announced the quarterback position would be an open competition—a decision that led to the Colts signing Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal.
“It’s gotta be the right guy to create real competition,” Ballard said via the team’s website. “But we want to create real competition. I think it’s good for the team; I think it’s good for Anthony.”
The anticipated quarterback competition in Indianapolis might not materialize—and not because Anthony Richardson has silenced all concerns about his potential as an NFL starter. Richardson missed June minicamp with a shoulder injury and sought a second opinion—rarely a reassuring sign. The Colts couldn’t commit to him being ready for training camp. At this point, Daniel Jones could win the job by default.
That’s been the story of Richardson’s time with the Colts: brief flashes of promise, overshadowed by more frequent frustrations. His inconsistency as a passer and persistent injuries have defined his career so far. If Richardson enters training camp still limited or sidelined, it’s hard to imagine head coach Shane Steichen—who is already facing pressure—risking his job on a quarterback who hasn’t shown enough progress.
Despite finishing 8-9 last season, the Colts often felt like a much worse team due to the instability at quarterback. Richardson was benched early, only to reclaim the starting role because Joe Flacco struggled. His final completion percentage for the season was just 47.7%. That figure isn’t just bad—it’s historically bad. Since 1988, only five other quarterbacks have attempted at least 250 passes in a season and finished below 48%: Stan Gelbaugh, Heath Shuler, Craig Whelihan, Akili Smith, and Tim Tebow. Richardson’s completion rate was nearly 13 percentage points lower than any other quarterback with 250 attempts last year. For context, Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL with a 72.9% completion rate; Richardson would have had to complete 245 consecutive passes to match that.
Still, the Colts hovered near .500, a testament to the rest of the roster. They finished the season with the NFL’s second-worst team passer rating (75.8), yet managed to stay competitive. There’s real talent on offense—running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and promising rookie tight end Tyler Warren—and the defense played well enough to keep them in games. Steichen may be a good coach, but so far, he hasn’t been able to unlock Richardson’s potential. If quarterback play remains a liability, it’s hard to have optimism for this team.
Whether it’s Richardson taking a leap or Jones reviving his career, quarterback performance will determine the Colts’ 2025 season. Ballard and Steichen are under scrutiny, especially in the wake of team owner Jim Irsay’s death. Irsay had shown patience, particularly with Ballard, despite fan frustration. But with his daughters now in control, that leash may be shorter. If Richardson doesn’t show significant growth—and there’s no guarantee he’ll even start—it’s hard to imagine the Colts rolling the dice on him again in 2026. Another losing season could prompt a full rebuild, including a change at GM and head coach.
The Colts knew Richardson was a risk when they drafted him. Two years in, the gamble looks increasingly shaky.
Offseason Grade: C
Indianapolis had three clear goals: improve the secondary, add competition at quarterback, and find another playmaker on offense. The front office made significant investments in the secondary, signing cornerback Charvarius Ward (3 years, $54 million) and safety Camryn Bynum (4 years, $60 million). To address the quarterback situation, the Colts signed Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal—an unfortunate necessity given Richardson’s ongoing struggles.
In the draft, the Colts used their first-round pick on tight end Tyler Warren, widely considered a top-10 prospect. It was a surprise he was available at No. 14, and he brings added explosiveness to the offense. However, the team also suffered notable losses: offensive linemen Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo all departed in free agency.
Overall, it was a solid if uninspiring offseason—one that leaves major questions unanswered at the game’s most important position.
Quarterback Outlook
Daniel Jones arrives with 69 career starts and a mixed résumé. His tenure with the Giants was uneven, though some of that can be attributed to the dysfunction in New York. As Saquon Barkley could attest, a change of scenery might help. Jones has had stretches of decent play, but his career 84.3 passer rating reflects a limited ceiling. Since throwing 24 touchdowns as a rookie, he has managed just 46 total over the past five seasons. At 28, Jones is no longer a developmental project—he is who he is.
Meanwhile, Richardson just turned 23. The ideal scenario for the Colts is that he gets healthy, takes control of the starting job in August, and makes a significant leap in year three. But if he doesn’t, Jones represents a capable stopgap—just not a long-term solution.
Ultimately, the Colts’ 2025 hopes rest on whether one of them can deliver.
Leave a Reply