The Indianapolis Colts enter their preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals with most of their starters resting, but one rookie has plenty on the line.
Sixth-round pick Riley Leonard will start Saturday night, playing the entire first half before handing the offense to Jason Bean for the second.
After a whirlwind August for the former Notre Dame quarterback, he may have a golden opportunity to prove he belongs in the Colts’ long-term plans.
Leonard’s development has been growing thus far in camp, and is somewhat tied to his positive friendship with the Colts’ other young assets. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren is expected to play a key role in Shane Steichen’s system, while running back DJ Giddens will join Jonathan Taylor in the backfield rotation.
If Leonard can build chemistry with that group now, it sets the stage for smoother growth down the line. For a franchise that’s been searching for stability under center since Andrew Luck’s retirement, stacking young talent together could pay long-term dividends.
Leonard’s Motivation Amid Colts QB Shake-Up
The Colts officially named Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter earlier this week, leaving Anthony Richardson in the backup role. Richardson won’t play Saturday, with head coach Shane Steichen saying the team wants to preserve his health.
“He’s one play away from going into an actual game,” Steichen said Thursday. “Don’t want to take a risk there.”
That decision puts Leonard squarely in the spotlight. While he’s not in the mix for immediate playing time this season, his chance to lead the offense for a full half in Week 3 against the Bengals is as valuable as preseason reps get.
“Right now, it seems pretty similar to the other weeks, but I carry a lot of weight going into this game on my shoulders,” Leonard said, per Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar. “I don’t want to make too much of it. It’s another opportunity to go out there and play your best.”
The Colts’ QB room has been under the microscope all summer. Jones, looking to reset his career after a rocky stint with the New York Giants and a brief run with the Minnesota Vikings last year, has earned the keys to the offense after a steady preseason.
Richardson is positioned as the backup (for now), leaving Leonard as the team’s No. 3.
Why Week 3 Matters For Colts, Leonard and Richardson
Leonard arrived to Indianapolis with a strong reputation after leading the Fighting Irish to the national championship in 2024 — throwing for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for another 906 yards and 17 scores.
His dual-threat ability is what drew the Colts to him on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s the same skill set that will be tested Saturday against the Cincinnati defense.
For Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, the focus won’t just be on numbers. They’ll want to see whether Leonard runs the offense with poise, avoids turnovers, and maintains rhythm with Indy’s depth receivers and running backs.
The backdrop makes this performance even more meaningful. The Colts must trim their roster from 90 to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon. Leonard’s spot is safe, but how he looks in extended action could shape how confident the coaching staff feels about him as an emergency option behind Jones and Richardson.
This isn’t just a throwaway game — it’s Leonard’s audition to show he’s capable of handling real snaps if called upon.
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