The Indianapolis Colts are still undecided about who will be the starting quarterback next season.
Third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and new signee Daniel Jones are battling it out throughout training camp to be behind center in week 1.
While Richardson suffered an injury during OTAs, ESPN senior reporter Dan Granziano predicts the former Florida Gator will edge out Jones and become the starting QB for Indy.
“I know Jones appears to have taken over the No. 1 spot on the depth chart after Richardson’s spring injury, but training camp is where Richardson looks the best — if he’s healthy, he’s likely to outperform Jones on the practice field,” Granziano said.
“The Colts also have a lot more invested in Richardson, and if it’s a close competition, most people I talk to believe that will tilt things in his favor — at least to start the season. Whether he can stay healthy enough or play well enough to hold the job is another matter entirely.”
Jones joined Indy on a one-year deal this offseason after last being part of the Minnesota Vikings.
Anthony Richardson In Familiar System
Getty Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson.
The advantage Anthony Richardson has in the quarterback battle is his familiarity with the Colts’ system and playbook, whereas Jones has to learn and catch up.
Richardson has been with head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter since he was drafted into the league, understanding how the offense works.
“I think being year three in the system, just the operation at the line of scrimmage is good,” Steichen said at training camp. “When you’re going into year three, you should be pretty at the line of scrimmage, operating, calling plays in and out of the huddle.”
Steichen said that Jones has learned the offense quickly in his time in Indianapolis.
A reporter asked the head coach if there was any clarity on position battles through the first week of training camp for the Colts.
“It’s so early in camp,” Steichen responded. “We’re four days in. I mean, I think you’ll see [clarity] as we get going through the next couple weeks.”
The Colts will have full-padded practice in the second week of training camp, which could give either QB an edge on how they perform on the field.
Consistency During Practice
GettyIndianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones will have to play well on the practice field
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer attended one of the Colts’ training camps and said consistency was what came up regarding the quarterback battle.
“They want a guy in there who can make the routine play, who can operate Shane Steichen’s offense,” Breer said. “They know what they got in Daniel Jones: a steady vet who they think has benefited from the scars he’s taken on the last few years.”
“And of course, Anthony Richardson, the former fourth-overall pick, who has been inconsistent his first two years in the league. Has had trouble staying healthy, has had trouble being consistent as a passer. I think over the next couple of weeks… [we’ll see] who can be the most consistent guy running the offense.”
Breer believes that Jones will win the starting quarterback job, stating that it “won’t last forever.”
The Colts will get to see their first on-field action from Jones when the team takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 7th in the first preseason game of the season.
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