What will the Indianapolis Colts do about their quarterback situation? I’m not sure if you heard, but there is an ongoing training camp battle between between Anthony Richardson (did you know he was the fourth-overall pick in 2023? It’s true!) and free-agent signing Daniel Jones.
The problem is that neither one is very good at football, but one has to start football games for the Colts. Richardson started the first preseason game, with Jones scheduled to start the second. It’s the only way to really find out how bad each of them is. And, the decision on who will be the Week 1 starter won’t be an easy one for head coach Shane Steichen.
“We’ll work through that,” Steichen said. “We had today, we got a preseason game (Saturday), we have some practices next week and we’ll work through that. I don’t have an exact timetable on it, but sooner rather than later would be nice.”
In theory, Steichen would like one of them to separate themselves in a positive way so he doesn’t have to rely on his patented “Race to The Bottom” Theory, picking the player who is the lesser of two evils.
“I want to see how this thing plays out on Saturday and we’ll see early into next week and see where it goes,” Steichen said, referring to Jones’ start in the second exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers.
Anthony Richardson feels this is his best camp yet
The Colts held their 13th and final training camp practice at Grand Park on Thursday, which closes this chapter of the Richardson-Jones battle, with no man still standing as of right now.
Steichen says he doesn’t have a clear leader and he probably won’t until Jones gets his shot to start a preseason game. But, let’s be honest, if either guy was standing out he’d be named the starter by now. For what it’s worth, Richardson feels like he’s having the best training camp of his professional career.
“I would like to agree, I would like to say I’ve improved from my first two camps. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” Richardson said. “I feel like I’m nowhere near where I want to be. Yeah, I’ve been better throughout this camp but there’s still things I need to work on, still things I need to clean up and I still got to be a better quarterback for this team. So, yes I’ve improved, but there’s still work to be done.”
Glad you see it too, Anthony.
Daniel Jones still getting comfortable
It’s understandable that Jones is still getting his feet under him and getting acclimated with his teammates…sort of. Richardson is going to be given every benefit of the doubt as a former top draft pick of the Colts (Jones was a high pick, but not by the Colts and it was long enough ago that the shine has long since worn off).
But, the Colts need a starting quarterback, not ‘I feel like I’m getting better.’ Because, Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard can’t go to Colts’ ownership after a five-win season and tell them how much better they are getting. That said, Jones thinks he’s getting better.
“I think I’ve improved day to day,” Jones said. “I’ve made progress kind of learning the system and executing. There’s always things you’re working on and trying to clean up. That’s where my mindset is.”
So, does Jones worry about that moment when he or Richardson (or both) get called into Steichen’s office to receive word on the final decision?
“I think that’s natural,” Jones said. “I think in this position, you’re obviously aware of it and thinking about it, but I think the best strategy for me and anyone in this situation is to focus as much as you can on what you need to do to continue to grow and improve.”
Part of me wonders if it really even matters to Steichen who starts Week 1. There is overwhelming evidence that could lead a reasonable person to the conclusion that whoever starts the season will – literally – fumble away the job by Week 4. A gambling man would think that both will see plenty of NFL action in 2025.
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