Daniel Jones is certainly making waves in Indianapolis.
The former Giants quarterback has been taking first-team reps with the Colts during OTAs and minicamp, especially since Anthony Richardson has been sidelined with shoulder injuries. So far, feedback on Jones has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I’m very pleased with what we’ve got now. He’s doing a hell of a job,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen remarked at a press conference on Thursday. “He’s a really smart football player. He picked up OTAs quickly and made excellent decisions. He definitely wants to carry this performance into training camp, but he’s done well so far.”
This offseason, Jones signed a $14 million contract with the Colts and appears ready to compete for the starting quarterback position against Richardson, who is in his third year. However, with Richardson currently out, Jones seems to be seizing the moment to differentiate himself.
Steichen noted Jones’s veteran status: “[H]E is a veteran player. Obviously, as I said, he’s very intelligent. He works hard and grinds. So, I’m not surprised at how quickly he grasped the offense. Those meetings and discussions in the quarterback room have been really productive. I’m extremely pleased with him.”
During his six seasons with the Giants, Jones started 69 games, accumulating 70 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions. His journey has had its ups and downs, but he brings a wealth of experience to Indianapolis—more, in fact, than Richardson, who has only started a total of 15 games in his first two years.
While Richardson showcases significant raw talent, he has faced both high and low moments on the field. Additionally, injuries have plagued him during his time in Indianapolis.
Richardson’s 2023 rookie season was prematurely cut short by an AC joint sprain, and he is now dealing with a recurrence of that same injury.
Although Steichen hasn’t provided a timeline for Richardson’s return, it’s clear that Jones is taking charge in this competition, independent of Richardson’s situation.
As Jones continues to push for the starting role, he will look to impress during the remainder of minicamp and the training camps set to commence on July 25th.
