With the 2025-26 season around the corner, the Indianapolis Colts are close to making their decision on who will be behind the center for the season.
Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones have shown what they bring to the offense in the preseason. Richardson threw for 94 passing yards in his limited showing (dislocated finger), while Jones threw for 245 yards in the team’s two preseason games so far.
“Obviously, you’ve got a quarterback battle, you’ve got two first-round draft picks,” Steichen said, via the NFL website. “When they both came in, I made it very clear that this is gonna be a battle, and they’re gonna compete for the job. Like I said, I’m gonna make the decision that I feel is best for the football team.”
“I’m very close, I’ll say that. I’m very close.”
Bleacher Report released its early 2026 mock draft, with Indianapolis selecting a quarterback in the top 10. The order of the selections is based on a sportsbook’s “reverse Super Bowl odds.”
Colts Draft Garrett Nussmeier In Mock Draft
GettyLSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier
Bleacher Report’s first mock draft has the Indianapolis Colts making their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft as the 7th overall pick.
B/R has the Colts select quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in the first round, largely due to the uncertainty of play with either QB on the roster.
“The Indianapolis Colts still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be for the 2025 season. What are the odds that the light finally switches on for either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones? They’re probably not good if the team still ends up with a top-10 selection,” B/R’s Dame Parson said.
“Nussmeier’s insertion into this Colts offense, with the talent already on the roster, is a recipe for success. He is a natural passer who will be coming off his second season as a starter for LSU. He throws with good anticipation, accuracy and ball placement to maximize Indianapolis’ talented group of pass-catchers that includes Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell and tight end Tyler Warren.”
Nussmeier is ranked as the third-best QB in Pro Football Focus’ 2026 preseason quarterback rankings.
The offensive player threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns for LSU last season. Entering his fifth college season, Nussmeier can cement his role as one of the top QBs in the draft class with another good-performing season.
Fresh Start For The Indianapolis Colts
GettyIndianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are entering a make-or-break season.
Ballard and the Colts have accrued only 4 winning seasons since becoming GM back in 2017. Steichen recorded a .500 record (17-17) in his two seasons with the team.
Their jobs remain in the hands of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones’ performances next season.
If the Indianapolis Colts management is heading into next offseason with a clean slate, Garrett Nussmeier will enter Indy with a fresh coaching staff and will have time to develop instead of worrying about losing his head coach.
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