Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said following Saturday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers that he was “very close” to making a final quarterback decision. Daniel Jones started the game and played pretty well, while Anthony Richardson backed him up and was just okay, completing 6-11 passes for 73 yards.
While no final announcement has been made on the starting quarterback situation, Richardson said he can’t control the coach’s decision, but he just has to keep improving.
“I’ve just been trying to make sure I’m at the best of my ability so when Week 1 does pop up and show up, and if I am the guy, if I’m not the guy, I’m ready for anything that comes to me,” Richardson said. “They’ll make a decision whenever they do. I’m not too worried about it. Honestly, I’m just trying to make sure I’m at the best of my ability for the season.”
Anthony Richardson continues to grow
It’s all well and good for Richardson to talk about improving, but at some point he has to reach a level of consistent, competent quarterback play. Entering his third season, he’s not there yet.
“I feel like I’ve been trying to put my best foot forward, trying to grow each and every step of the way,” Richardson said. “I feel like I’ve been doing a decent job and improving, but at the end of the day, I just want to keep improving.
“If I do win the job, thank God. If not, I need to keep working.”
You should probably keep working even if you get the job, but that’s just my opinion.
Colts fans are dying to hear Steichen’s decision. Just when you think Jones has the edge, Richardson comes back and has a good showing and vice versa. Do you go with the I-know-what-I’m-getting veteran Jones? Do you lean towards the guy you spent a fourth-overall pick on back in 2023?
“I’ve seen, obviously, three weeks of it, so I’d like to have a decision here shortly,” Steichen said after the game. “You’ve got two first-round draft picks, and when they both came in, I made it very clear that this is going to be a battle and they’re going to compete for the job. I’m going to make the decision I feel is best for the football team.
“I’m very close [to a decision], I’ll say that.”
Jones has a pretty solid outing against Green Bay
Jones was 7-11 for 101 passing yards on Saturday against the Packers. CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan broke down Jones’ afternoon pretty well.
“While that wasn’t the best start for Jones, he began heating up on his ensuing possession,” Sullivan writes. “He orchestrated an 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended in a field goal. He initially hit Anthony Gould on a 23-yard gain, but a penalty negated the play. He followed it up with a quick 9-yard gain to Michael Pittman Jr., but then missed Warren again.
“It was at this point, however, that Jones started to get in a groove. He completed his next four passes, including a 22-yard gain to Michael Pittman Jr. and a 25-yarder to Warren. That throw to the rookie tight end was by far his best ball of the afternoon.”
It sounds like Steichen would like to decide on a Week 1 starter this week. At some point, he just has to rip the band aid off and stick with a guy…for now.
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