Colts Quarterback Competition Heats Up
The Colts are working diligently to keep the quarterback situation under wraps. Before the first preseason game, they released an unofficial depth chart that lists the top quarterback position simply as “Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson Sr.”
Interestingly, other positions on the depth chart have clear starters and backups, but this one remains a bit ambiguous.
Both quarterbacks, Jones and Richardson, have taken the lead in the competition this summer. It’s essentially an open battle, and head coach Shane Steichen recently described it as “neck and neck” during a chat with ESPN.
After a Sunday practice at training camp, Steichen mentioned that both players would see time in the upcoming preseason opener against the Ravens, although no starter has been officially announced yet.
“I haven’t had the chance to let them know who’s starting, but I’ll be talking with them about it tonight,” Steichen remarked. “I want them to hear it from me first, not through the media. But yeah, we’re working through it.”
Throughout training camp, Steichen has expressed confidence in both quarterbacks, emphasizing his belief in Richardson during his latest comments.
“I thought he did some impressive things today. In the red zone, the windows really tighten up. It’s clear he’s making strides, not just with Anthony but with everyone. Those tight windows are tough,” Steichen noted. “Overall, it was a solid day for both guys.”
Richardson, who’s 23, had a rough outing on Saturday, completing just three of ten passes, but he bounced back with a better performance on Sunday, completing 14 out of 10 passes with a touchdown.
Selected fourth overall by the Colts in the 2023 draft, Richardson is now gearing up for his third season in the NFL.
The Florida alum had a challenging rookie season, playing only four games before an AC joint injury halted his progress. Last year, he started 11 games and recorded eight touchdowns against twelve interceptions.
In contrast, Jones, who recently signed a $14 million deal with the Colts after being released by the Giants mid-season, spent last year as a backup for the Vikings. The 28-year-old started ten games for the Giants, finishing with a record of 2-8, amassing 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
