Colts' Quarterback Dilemma: Jones Secures Starting Spot as Richardson's Path Remains Unclear
In March 2025, the Indianapolis Colts held an open competition for the starting quarterback position, featuring Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. After a rigorous evaluation process, the team selected Jones to lead the offense. However, his tenure began with a promising start that was abruptly cut short by a devastating torn Achilles tendon, casting a shadow over the season's prospects.
Richardson's Struggles and Injury Woes
Despite being with the Colts since 2023, Anthony Richardson was not given an opportunity to step in during Jones' absence. This was primarily due to a severe eye injury that prevented him from being cleared for football activities. In a surprising move, the Colts turned to retired quarterback Philip Rivers, who had transitioned into coaching, to fill the void temporarily. Richardson's situation has remained stagnant, with no significant changes in his status as the team navigates its quarterback strategy.
According to ESPN analyst Stephen Holder, the Colts have made a decisive choice: they plan to re-sign Daniel Jones and rely on him as their starting quarterback for the upcoming 2026 season, even though he suffered the torn Achilles in early December. This decision underscores the franchise's commitment to Jones as the face of the team, following his encouraging performance before the injury.
Uncertain Future for Anthony Richardson
The future of Anthony Richardson, the 2023 first-round pick from the Florida Gators, is now shrouded in doubt. ESPN sources indicate that Richardson has not submitted a trade request, but multiple insiders are questioning whether he has a long-term future with the Colts. His journey with the team has been marred by challenges: he was benched in 2024, served as a backup to Daniel Jones in 2025, played only five snaps, and ultimately landed on injured reserve after a freak pregame warmup accident. This incident resulted in a fractured orbital bone and a serious eye injury, further complicating his career trajectory.
The Colts' leadership has been non-committal about Richardson's role. When general manager Chris Ballard was recently queried about the young quarterback's future, he responded, "That's a fair question. We'll kind of see going forward how that ends up playing out." Head coach Shane Steichen echoed this sentiment, offering a similar vague response. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon added, "I'm going to stay in my lane on that one. I feel horrible for Anthony with the injuries that he's had to endure, and I know, [Chris Ballard] and [Shane Steichen] are going to do the right thing." This statement suggests that the decision rests entirely with the management and coaching staff.
Richardson's Perspective and Team Outlook
When asked about his future with the Colts, Anthony Richardson maintained a positive and dedicated outlook. He stated, "I haven't thought about my future here because I don't see anything wrong. Setbacks happen. The injury to my eye, that kind of happened. So that kind of dictated what happened throughout the season. But I haven't really put too much thought into anything because I've been taking it day-by-day and just working." His resilience and work ethic could influence the team's decision, potentially leading to a role as a backup to Daniel Jones.
As the Colts prepare for the 2026 season, Stephen Holder reports that the franchise intends to maintain continuity with their current leadership structure, including coach Shane Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard, and quarterback Daniel Jones. This strategy highlights their confidence in Jones' recovery and ability to lead the team forward, while Anthony Richardson's fate remains an open question, dependent on his health and the team's evolving needs.
