Daniel Jones appears poised to start as the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback when the 2025 NFL season kicks off. Following the team‘s spring workouts, Jones has gained a substantial edge over Anthony Richardson in the competition for the Colts’ QB1 role, according to a report by James Boyd of The Athletic. The ongoing Anthony Richardson Colts QB Competition is shaping up to be a key storyline in Indianapolis ahead of training camp.
Jones’ Performance and Background Bolster His Position
After spending six seasons with the New York Giants, Daniel Jones joined the Colts as a free agent, stepping into a role that was expected to be contested fiercely by Richardson, the team’s third-year quarterback. Jones experienced a difficult final year with the Giants in 2024, completing 2,070 passing yards alongside eight touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the team to a 2-8 record. He was released midway through the season, subsequently joining the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad and later the active roster, although he did not take the field in any game for them.
Despite recent setbacks, Jones has demonstrated solid potential in his career, highlighted by his 2022 campaign where he passed for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 708 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, leading the Giants to a Wild Card Round win and securing a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract, reflecting his earlier high valuation.
Richardson’s Injury and Performance Challenges Influence QB Contest
Anthony Richardson, who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft and widely viewed as the team’s future starter, has faced difficulties due to injuries and uneven play. A shoulder injury aggravated last month has created an opening for Jones to gain ground in the race for the starting job. James Boyd noted,
“Daniel Jones is QB1 (for now). The Colts signed the ex-Giants/Vikings quarterback in free agency to challenge Anthony Richardson for the QB1 title in Indy, and Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open quarterback competition,”
highlighting Jones’s current standing.
Despite the injury, Richardson has assured that he intends to be ready for training camp, as reported by 247Sports’ Zach Goodall. In the 2024 season, Richardson threw for 1,814 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding 499 yards and six rushing touchdowns across 11 games. While the Colts posted a 6-5 record with him at quarterback, the team’s inconsistent performance at the position suggested the need for more stability.
Colts Face Critical Quarterback Decision Ahead of Upcoming Season
Though Richardson aims to reclaim the starting role, the momentum currently favors Jones after his strong showing in the early offseason. The Colts’ management must weigh the potential benefits of Jones’s experience and recent progress against Richardson’s upside as a young quarterback recovering from injury. This quarterback competition will likely be pivotal for Indianapolis as it strives to improve its standing within the AFC South.