Throughout the NFL offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have been preparing for the inevitable.
The team begins training camp this week with plenty to hash out at quarterback, and limited time for hypotheticals. According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, Anthony Richardson is back throwing after a May 29 shutdown, but that still doesn’t take much away from the current QB battle in Indy.
“Richardson was shut down May 29 due to what Colts coach Shane Steichen labeled as “aggravation” to the surgically repaired AC joint in Richardson’s throwing shoulder,” per Boyd. “The quarterback has resumed throwing, a league source told The Athletic, and it now appears Richardson will be available when the Colts begin training camp. Richardson’s injury history, though, is a big reason the Colts signed Daniel Jones to challenge him for the QB1 title. If Richardson plans to keep his job and start over Jones in Week 1, he can’t afford to miss many more practice reps. He also must show marked improvement with his accuracy.”
In light of Richardson’s progression, Daniel Jones isn’t stepping back. He’s not in the NFL to be a backup, and he certainly didn’t arrive to the Colts in March with that mindset. The setbacks have to be left behind in training camp, and head coach Shane Steichen is determined to bounce the franchise back into contention after mistakes cost them dearly in 2024.
Accuracy Is Still Richardson’s Biggest Question
There’s no debating the third-year veteran’s talent. His arm strength is otherworldly at times. His mobility is elite. When he’s on the field, defenses have to respect every inch of it. But that only goes so far when you’re completing just 51 percent of passes and missing windows in the short and intermediate game.
Through 11 starts last year, Richardson showed flashes, but overall his throws were well off the mark. The Colts need more than flashes. They need a game manager, someone who’s capable of third-down conversions and protecting the football. That’s where Jones could force the issue.
The former New York Giants quarterback is not turnover-proof. Hence why he finds himself in the situation he’s currently in this summer.
That said, he’s played in big games. He’s led playoff drives. And if Steichen feels like Richardson isn’t ready to make that leap in decision-making and accuracy, the leash could be shorter than anyone expected as camp rolls along.
Why Training Camp Will Decide Colts’ Week 1 Starter
For now, Richardson is trending in a decent direction. The next is stacking healthy days, showing improvement in accuracy, and getting real chemistry going with guys like Tyler Warren, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr.
That part is critical. Reps matter — especially when your mechanics are still maturing, and the margin for error is shrinking by the day.
The Colts know what Richardson can become. The true upside hasn’t gone anywhere, despite the lowered expectations. But after missing most of 2023 and starting 2024 with more questions than answers, there’s only so much projection you can rely on. If he gets banged up again in camp or if the same issues crop up in preseason games, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Jones take over — even if only temporarily.
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