WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indianapolis Colts completed their 13th and final training camp practice of 2025 at Grand Park on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a close quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr. However, the decision on which quarterback will start in Week 1 remains undecided as head coach Shane Steichen plans to make a call soon.
Steichen acknowledged the tight race between the two quarterbacks and pointed to the upcoming preseason game and additional practices as crucial in determining the starter.
“We had today, we got a preseason game (Saturday), we have some practices next week and we’ll work through that. I don’t have an exact timetable on it, but sooner rather than later would be nice,”
Steichen said.
Preseason Opportunities Shape the Quarterback Evaluation
Jones and Richardson have shared playing time closely throughout the preseason period, combining reps from 13 practices, a joint session with the Baltimore Ravens, and games against the Ravens and Green Bay Packers. This balanced workload should give the Colts‘ coaching staff ample insight before the final decision.
Following the Grand Park practice, the Colts will continue preparing at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Their final preseason matchup is scheduled for August 23 against the Cincinnati Bengals, providing one last evaluation opportunity for the quarterbacks.
As of Thursday evening, Steichen indicated no clear frontrunner had emerged, emphasizing the importance of Saturday’s second preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“I want to see how this thing plays out on Saturday and we’ll see early into next week and see where it goes,”
Steichen remarked.
Anthony Richardson’s Development in Pocket Passing Stands Out
Throughout training camp, Richardson demonstrated increased comfort in completing short and intermediate passes from the pocket, an improvement over his previous performances where he completed just 47.7 percent of passes in the 2024 season. When asked if this camp marked his best yet, Richardson responded with measured self-assessment.
“I would like to agree, I would like to say I’ve improved from my first two camps. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” Richardson said. “I feel like I’m nowhere near where I want to be. Yeah, I’ve been better throughout this camp but there’s still things I need to work on, still things I need to clean up and I still got to be a better quarterback for this team. So, yes I’ve improved, but there’s still work to be done.”
Jones Focuses on Mastering Colts’ Offensive System
Daniel Jones, who joined the Colts as a free agent earlier this year, has been focusing on adapting to the nuances of Indianapolis’ offense and establishing rapport with his new teammates. During training camp, he has been praised for his ability to complete shorter throws efficiently and his increasing willingness to take aggressive shots downfield, an area less utilized during his time with the New York Giants.
“I think I’ve improved day to day,” Jones said. “I’ve made progress kind of learning the system and executing. There’s always things you’re working on and trying to clean up. That’s where my mindset is.”
Quarterbacks Manage Pressure Amid Close Competition
Both quarterbacks have had to maintain focus despite knowing that the final starting role has yet to be announced. Rather than dwell on the anticipation, they are concentrating on improving their performances and supporting the team.
“I think that’s natural,” Jones said. “I think in this position, you’re obviously aware of it and thinking about it, but I think the best strategy for me and anyone in this situation is to focus as much as you can on what you need to do to continue to grow and improve.”
“I’m just trying to do my job, do everything I can to help myself win this job, and then anything the team needs from me I’m pretty much open and available to help them out in any sort of way,” Richardson said. “Just trying to do my part and let everybody else make the decision.”
Final Decision Will Involve Key Team Leaders
The ultimate Week 1 starting quarterback choice rests with Shane Steichen, who will consult with Colts Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon and General Manager Chris Ballard before making his announcement. With the opening game roughly two and a half weeks away, the organization is under time pressure to finalize its quarterback starter.
Steichen spoke about the gravity of this decision, affirming its importance and the ongoing internal discussions.
“Obviously, it’s a big decision that’s gotta be made,”
he said.
“We’ll work through it and I’ll have discussions with Carlie and Chris and we’ll work through it here soon.”
Supporting Developments at Training Camp
The Colts hosted a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers at Grand Park ahead of their upcoming preseason game, allowing the teams to simulate regular-season competition conditions. This session marked the final official practice of the training camp and gave further context to players’ performance evaluations.
Among other position battles, rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has continued to impress coaches with his ability to step up, while young defensive players are challenging veterans, especially following a season-ending injury to cornerback Justin Walley. Safety Hunter Wohler also made notable plays in a joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens, recording two interceptions during a critical moment in the session.
The kicking competition has seen Spencer Shrader leading comfortably after a strong showing in the preseason opener against the Ravens, including a 53-yard field goal.
Looking Ahead to Preseason and Season Opener
The Colts will use the upcoming preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium to gauge both quarterbacks’ readiness, distinctly splitting playing time as planned. Jones is set to start the game’s opening series, with Richardson expected to finish the first half, providing another direct comparison in game situations.
Following this, the team will head to Cincinnati for their final preseason game on August 23 before gearing up for the 2025 regular season kickoff. How Steichen evaluates the quarterbacks’ performances this weekend and during next week’s practices will heavily influence the final decision on the starting role.
As this pivotal moment approaches, the Colts remain focused on preparation, teamwork, and making the best choice for the team’s success this season.