The Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones are committed to sharpening their skills as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Richardson is concentrating on improving his ability to complete intermediate throws to enhance the offense’s overall effectiveness.
“I feel like that will help our offense progress, and that will help us move the ball more,”
Richardson said.
“I was really working on that, working on my footwork, trying to make sure I am calm and ready to deliver the ball wherever it needs to be.”
—Anthony Richardson, Colts QB
Meanwhile, Daniel Jones remains focused on learning the offensive system and building chemistry with his teammates and coaches rather than worrying about the competition for the starting role.
“There’s so much work to do, especially for me learning the system, getting to know the guys, communication with coaches,”
Jones said.
“I think there’s plenty to kind of stay busy with and focus on that.”
—Daniel Jones, Colts QB
Richardson echoes a similar mindset, emphasizing personal growth alongside the competitive nature of the quarterback battle.
“Of course, I am competing with Daniel, but I am also competing with myself, trying to be the better version of myself than I was last year,”
Richardson said.
“There are definitely things I could have worked on last year, so I am trying to improve on that and make sure I’m just available for the team whenever they need me.”
—Anthony Richardson, Colts QB
Trevor Lawrence Shows Confidence in Jaguars’ New Offensive Approach
Trevor Lawrence is enthusiastic about adapting to the new offensive system installed by Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, expressing confidence in the scheme’s versatility and the potential for success based on how it has performed with other teams.
“I have a ton of confidence in what we’re doing, and that feels really good,”
Lawrence said.
“From a scheme perspective, I’ve never been in a system like this. I’ve seen it work with other teams and players, and you can plug and play all these different types of quarterbacks and receivers, and they’ve all had success. That makes me excited for the group we have.”
—Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB
Coen is encouraging Lawrence to take a more active role at the line of scrimmage by allowing him to select protections after being presented with two play options. This increase in responsibility is intended to help Lawrence develop the ability to react and adapt during the game on his own.
“That’s where we’ll need him,” Coen explained.
“If I call a crappy play on third-and-8, how can you go put the team on your back and gain a first down? You might have to use your legs or run through somebody. You might have to go make a play. Ultimately, we’re trying to get him to the point to go play freely. Just go play, have fun, cut it loose, let it rip because this is your team, and everybody is going to have to play up to your standards every single day. To this point in his career, he hasn’t maybe always had to do that; he’s maybe had some vets who could lead their own groups. Now, it’s, ‘Dude, you need to lead all those guys. They’re looking to you, and we’re looking to you.’”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Head Coach
Increased Leadership Role Helping Lawrence Grow as a Vocal Team Leader
Coen also has tasked Lawrence to develop his leadership by being more vocal within the team, a role Lawrence admits has been a challenge early in his career but is making intentional progress toward.
“It has to be natural,” Lawrence said.
“I’ve also learned how important it is to speak up and hold people accountable, to set the standard, to let other guys know little things aren’t OK to let slide. Early in my career, it was hard for me. But this offseason, I let people know how critical the details are. I’ve gotten better at addressing all the little details and not letting things slide. I think that’s the first step for me.”
—Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB
Texans Running Back Nick Chubb Looks to Rebound in Houston After Injuries
Nick Chubb, a veteran running back now with the Houston Texans, is eager to revive his career after enduring a series of injuries last season, including a serious knee injury followed by a broken foot while playing for the Cleveland Browns. Chubb is optimistic about his recovery and adjusting to a new offense in Houston.
“I feel good,” Chubb said during a Monday press conference.
“It’s been great to get a chance to come out here and play some more football; it’s been a while for me. I love it out here. It’s been great getting back.”
—Nick Chubb, Texans RB
Meanwhile, Joe Mixon is expected to miss some time due to foot and ankle injuries sustained away from team activities, with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans providing cautious updates.
“Nothing’s changed with Joe,” Ryans said.
“Joe is still working in the background. I know we get reports about Joe, nothing’s changed. He’s still working. Whenever it’s time for Joe to be back, he’ll be back. I know a lot of people want to report a lot of things about guys with injuries. My thing is this, ‘Are you really concerned about our guys or are you really just trying to get something out there?’ For me, I always put my players’ health and safety first and foremost. So, I care about the guys. So, you guys don’t hear me talking a lot about injuries because that’s their personal information. Guys are working through that and there’s nothing to report or get in an uproar about.”
—DeMeco Ryans, Texans Head Coach
Ryans Praises Chubb’s Dedication and Progress in Recovery
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has been impressed by Chubb’s approach through rehabilitation and preparation, highlighting Chubb’s football intelligence and commitment despite the challenges.
“When it comes to Chubb, and how am I comparing him, he’s been through a lot,”
Ryans said.
“It’s not always going to be the same as his early years in the NFL. But what I hang my hat on with him is that this guy loves football. He’s physical. He plays the right way. He prepares himself the right way. He’s a really sharp guy when it comes to the protection scheme. He’s on it. He’s helping out the guys. Danny Barrett is doing a great job of bringing him along and getting him caught up to our scheme. Seeing him today, he definitely showed up in the pads. He’s a guy who can play physical behind his pads. He can eat out yardage. So, I’m excited to see him just play football. That’s what he’s always been. He’s always been a tremendous football player, especially when he’s healthy. So, he’s still working his way back. It looks like he’s in really good shape. He’ll continue to get better now going through camp. Everybody continues to get better the more you go through it, and I see the same with Chubb.”
—DeMeco Ryans, Texans Head Coach
Quarterbacks and Running Backs Poised to Shape Their Teams’ Offenses
As training camps continue, quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, and Daniel Jones are intensely focused on mastering their systems and expanding their roles within their respective teams. Lawrence’s embrace of offensive responsibility and vocal leadership in the Jaguars’ system is a hopeful sign for Jacksonville’s progress this season.
Meanwhile, the Colts’ quarterback competition between Richardson and Jones points to a determination among both players to elevate their games and help the team’s offense evolve. Their efforts to improve execution and communication could prove critical to Indianapolis’ success.
On the ground, Texans running backs Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon represent resilience and uncertainty. Chubb’s positive trajectory through recovery and assimilation into a new offense offers optimism for Houston, while Mixon’s injury status remains a guarded question mark. How these players perform will impact the Texans’ offensive dynamics as the season unfolds.