The Indianapolis Colts were in a tough spot this NFL offseason. While they had a solid 2024 season and nearly made the playoffs, Anthony Richardson didn’t quite live up to what fans and management were hoping to see from him. His elite arm talent and athleticism were on full display, but consistency was a real concern.
As a result, heading into a new season, the Colts have a new plan. At the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Chris Ballard made it clear that the starting job isn’t guaranteed for Richardson. He revealed that Indy would be bringing in a veteran to create “real competition” for the 22-year-old and that it would be an open battle for the starting job.
Now, it looks like Ballard has found his man.
Indianapolis Colts To Sign Daniel Jones To Compete With Anthony Richardson
The New York Giants likely regret signing Daniel Jones instead of Saquon Barkley to an extension. Now, after a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings, Jones is joining Indianapolis on a one-year, $14 million prove-it deal.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on X: “Former Vikings QB Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, per sources. Jones had a chance to return to Minnesota, but now becomes the challenger to the Colts’ former first-round pick Anthony Richardson.”
Last season wasn’t great for either quarterback. While Jones was near the bottom of the league, ranking 32nd in PFSN’s QB+ metric, Richardson was even worse at 37th (third-lowest among all eligible quarterbacks). However, a rocket arm at least gives Colts fans some optimism about their young QB.
Last season, Jones threw for 2,070 yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing for 265 yards and two scores in 10 games. Meanwhile, in 11 games last season, Richardson totaled 1,814 passing yards and eight touchdowns, completing less than 50% of his passes while also rushing for 499 yards and six touchdowns.
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Throughout the course of his NFL career, Jones has totaled 14,582 passing yards, 70 passing touchdowns, and 47 interceptions, along with 2,179 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, and 15 fumbles.
Jones’ best season came in 2022 when he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing for 708 yards and seven scores. This is what ultimately earned him his massive payday from the Giants.
Ballard’s plan to push Richardson and get more out of the former No. 4 overall pick is simple.
“It’s got to be the right guy to create real competition. But we want to create real competition,” the GM said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I think it’s good for the team. I think it’s good for Anthony.”
It looks like Ballard has found the man for the job in Jones. Ultimately, the goal is clear.
“And I know we all want a finished product right now — I do, you do, fans do, we all do. But I think as he continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help [raise] everybody’s game.”
Ballard still has high hopes for Richardson, citing his mentality as a true positive.
“Anthony’s accepted all of it. He understands there needs to be some growth in his work,” Ballard told reporters. “That’s the one thing that I’m really proud of him about.
“There’s no deferring or defensiveness. It’s like, ‘I know. I gotta go to work.’ I think understanding the enormity of who the QB is and what the value of that position is.”
Still, not everyone is convinced Jones is the right guy, with Mike Freeman of USA Today posting, “If Anthony Richardson can’t beat out Daniel Jones, he doesn’t deserve to be in the league.”
It remains to be seen how this experiment in Indianapolis plays out. But for now, it looks like a true competition between the two quarterbacks.