Colts’ QB Anthony Richardson Faces Starting Competition As Team Signs QB Daniel Jones

2024 was an eventful year for quarterback Daniel Jones. He returned from a torn ACL, went 2-8 for the New York Giants, was benched, and then was released by request. Following a stint on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, Jones is now signing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, where he’ll back up Anthony Richardson. Or will he?

It was only two years ago that Jones led a Giants team to a playoff berth and then a round one upset over the Vikings. In 2022, he threw for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions, posting a passer rating of 92.5. While those stats took a nosedive in the 2023 season even before his injury, with just two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games, the Colts will be looking to maximize Jones’ proven upside.

As far as the quarterback room Jones will be joining, Richardson didn’t have the most productive 2024. His completion percentage was just 47.7%, a little lower than his career completion percentage of 50.6%. He’s shown moments of dazzling athletic upside, and he’s only played 15 games in the NFL so far. Still, Richardson’s eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions weren’t the bright spot of this Colts team (which finished only a couple wins out of a playoff spot), to put it lightly.

Jones’ entrance helps set up what general manager Chris Ballard described as an “open competition” at the quarterback position. Ballard added that as Richardson “continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help up everybody’s game.”

Considering Richardson’s lack of experience, Jones will likely serve as a steadier backup as the Colts attempt to turn Richardson into a starting-caliber quarterback. Both have high demonstrated upsides. Unfortunately, as the past season has shown, both also have very low floors.

If the Colts hope to contend this year, they’ll be betting on a sudden change of pace from either quarterback – but Richardson, who’s five years younger, will almost certainly be getting more runway.

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Article by Katherine Manz