As the Indianapolis Colts approach training camp in early July 2025, the team‘s quarterback situation remains unsettled, raising critical questions about Anthony Richardson Colts quarterback future. Richardson, a 2023 first-round draft pick, faces ongoing setbacks due to a serious shoulder injury suffered last season, delaying his return. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones, signed on a one-year deal after a disappointing tenure with the New York Giants, is emerging as the likely starter and could soon be in line for a lucrative $40 million contract if he performs well.
Colts Confront a Quarterback Crossroads Ahead of 2025 Season
With training camp just weeks away, the Indianapolis Colts are navigating a challenging quarterback dilemma. Anthony Richardson, who was expected to be the franchise’s future cornerstone, has yet to prove his fitness after a series of injuries, including a troubling shoulder issue and back spasms reported earlier this year. These health concerns have cast uncertainty over his ability to take the field in 2025 and perform at the expected level.
In the meantime, Daniel Jones has stepped into the spotlight. After joining Indianapolis on a modest one-year, $15 million contract, Jones appears to be the frontrunner for the starting quarterback position. His veteran experience and solid performance in recent offseason workouts have elevated his status from a stopgap option to a serious contender for the job. This development creates a pivotal question for the Colts’ management: Should they commit to Jones for the long term with a high-priced contract, or continue betting on Richardson’s development and potential recovery?
Daniel Jones Builds Momentum as Leading Candidate for Colts’ Starting Role
Daniel Jones brings six years of NFL experience, having started 69 games with the New York Giants and compiling 70 touchdowns against 47 interceptions. The Colts’ offense features weapons such as Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, a group Jones must effectively lead to secure the starting role. His progress during approximately 170 reps across nine Organized Team Activities (OTA) sessions has been closely monitored by the coaching staff.
Head coach Shane Steichen expressed strong confidence in Jones’s recovery and adaptability.
“Very pleased with what we got right now. He’s been doing a hell of a job… Really smart football player,”
Steichen said. He added,
“He’s a veteran player. Obviously, like I said, very intelligent. He works at it, grinds at it. So, not surprised on how he’s picked up the offense,”
and noted,
“Obviously, those meetings we have in the quarterback room with those guys — the conversations that we have, they’ve been really good. So, been very pleased with him.”
This endorsement highlights Jones’s growing trust within the team and coaching ranks.
Anthony Richardson’s Roadblock: Health Issues Stall Progress
Anthony Richardson’s future remains clouded by recurring injuries. The former first-round pick revealed in January 2025 that severe back spasms sidelined him late in the previous season, making even walking painful. His challenges extend beyond physical limitations; he also faced fatigue-related struggles leading to a midseason benching during his rookie campaign. Despite this, Richardson has tried to maintain a positive public image through social media, sharing moments from his youth academy camp in Florida and emphasizing his role as a community leader.
While Richardson’s inspirational messaging seeks to project confidence, the Colts face a harsh reality behind the scenes. They are reportedly preparing for the possibility that he may miss significant time again due to a re-aggravation of his acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury. This situation forces the front office to reconsider its plans, shifting from a hopeful long-term commitment to Richardson toward a more immediate reliance on Daniel Jones.
Potential Contract Implications for Daniel Jones in Indianapolis
Jones’s emergence as the likely starter puts him on a path toward a major contract decision. FOX Sports analyst Henry McKenna identified Jones among several quarterbacks who might be on a “contract collision course,” predicting that a strong season for the Colts could translate into a $40 million per year deal in the next offseason. This would mark a significant raise from his current one-year pact and represent the team’s commitment to him as the definitive leader at quarterback.
However, Indianapolis still faces a strategic dilemma: invest heavily in Jones’s experience and recent production or look toward the draft to unearth a younger, more cost-effective quarterback solution. The answer may depend heavily on Richardson’s health and ability to reclaim his original promise amid his physical setbacks. Practically, Jones offers stability and a clearer path to immediate competitiveness, while Richardson represents a higher-risk, higher-reward scenario that could keep the team evaluating options for years to come.
A Season Poised to Define Colts’ Quarterback Future
The unfolding quarterback picture in Indianapolis will shape the franchise’s trajectory through the 2025 season and beyond. Daniel Jones, with his solid offseason performance and leadership qualities, is positioned to start Week 1 and potentially end the rotating quarterback situation that has lingered since Andrew Luck’s retirement. His success or failure may influence whether the Colts invest heavily in the free-agent quarterback market or return to rebuilding through the draft.
Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, still regarded as the team’s high-upside talent, faces a pivotal year. If he can overcome his injury troubles and prove himself on the field, the Colts may still decide to commit to him as their long-term franchise quarterback. For now, however, the immediate focus rests with Jones, whose chance to revitalize his career in Indianapolis is also a critical moment for the team’s offense and overall stability.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Anthony Richardson’s hip?
A. The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, Anthony Richardson, was unable to play against the Steelers. He left Sunday’s 27-24 victory in the first quarter due to a hip injury. This happened when Richardson awkwardly slid at the end of a 1-yard run at the Pittsburgh 5-yard line, which led to an accidental helmet-to-helmet collision with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Q. How fast can Anthony Richardson throw?
A. Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson displayed their throwing speed. They made throws between 59 and 62 miles per hour. Stroud is from Ohio State, Richardson from the Florida Gators, and Thompson-Robinson plays for UCLA Bruins.
Q. Can I drop Anthony Richardson?
A. In many standard leagues with one quarterback, it’s a good idea to let Richardson go. This season, he has had a hard time passing effectively. Week 7 against the Dolphins showed his flaws, completing only 41.7% of his passes for 129 yards without any touchdowns.
Q. How fast does Anthony Richardson throw?
A. Stroud, Anthony Richardson from the Florida Gators, and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson demonstrate fast throws between 59 and 62 miles per hour.