The Indianapolis Colts have made their decision at quarterback, handing the starting role to veteran Daniel Jones for the 2025 regular season.
The announcement came on Tuesday, just weeks ahead of the team’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 7.
Jones, who joined the Colts during the offseason, earned the nod over Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Head coach Shane Steichen emphasized that Jones will not be on a “short leash,” committing to the veteran as the leader of the offense to begin the season.
“He’s the starting quarterback for the season,” Steichen said. “I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
The battle between Jones and Richardson stretched across training camp and preseason action, but neither quarterback truly separated himself with standout performances. Ultimately, Jones’ ability to manage the offense and maintain consistency at the line of scrimmage tipped the scales in his favor.
“You guys heard me talk about the consistency. That’s really what I was looking for,” Steichen explained. “Really the operations at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the protection, the ball placement, the completion percentage, all that played a factor in it. I think Daniel did a great job doing that, and I think A.R. has made strides in that area, but I do feel that he still needs to continue to develop in those areas.”
Steichen revealed he spoke with both quarterbacks before announcing the decision, noting that Richardson handled the news with maturity. “They were both great. A.R. was great. He knows that he still needs to develop and learn in those areas, and he knows that he’s one play away.”
With six years of NFL experience and 70 career games, Jones offered the Colts a proven option under center. His one-year contract, worth $14 million with more than $13 million guaranteed, also signaled the organisation’s intent to give him a meaningful opportunity.
For Richardson, the setback is another chapter in what has already been a stop-start career. His rookie season was cut short by a shoulder injury after just one month. Last year, he missed additional time with an oblique issue and was briefly benched in favour of veteran Joe Flacco. Across two seasons, Richardson has appeared in only 15 games, flashing his athletic upside but failing to consistently demonstrate the decision-making and execution required of a starting quarterback.
The 2025 preseason brought another obstacle when Richardson dislocated his pinky during an August 7 game against the Ravens, forcing him out after only six snaps. Jones, by comparison, played 30 snaps that night, gaining valuable reps and furthering his case for the starting job.
Richardson now finds himself in a familiar role — healthy, but on the sideline — as the Colts prepare to open the season. For the organization, the move provides stability with Jones while buying Richardson more time to develop.
The decision also underscores the urgency Indianapolis feels to compete, leaning on the steadiness of a veteran quarterback rather than the volatility of a still-developing talent.
For Richardson, the message is clear: the opportunity will come again, but he must prove he can seize it.
