The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones took another turn on Saturday during their second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Shane Steichen observed both players closely as he plans who will start when the Colts open their regular season at home versus the Miami Dolphins.
Richardson’s progress was notably affected last week when a dislocated pinky forced him out of the game, interrupting initial plans for sharing playing time. This week’s game allowed the strategy to unfold more as intended: Jones started and played the opening two series, followed by Richardson taking over for the rest of the first half. Both quarterbacks showed flashes of skill, making this a pivotal moment in the Colts’ offseason quarterback evaluation.
Daniel Jones Delivers Consistent Offensive Leadership
Jones completed seven of eleven passes for 101 yards in the preseason matchup, showcasing steady decision-making under center. Although the game began with some struggles—his second throw was tipped at the line leading to a fumbled snap and a near-missed opportunity at a first down—Jones gradually found his rhythm.
Early in his stint, Jones connected with tight end Mo Alie-Cox for a 19-yard gain while rolling right, though the drive stalled soon after. A notable error occurred when Jones missed rookie Tyler Warren on a deep route that could have sustained the drive.
Despite this, Jones engineered an 11-play, 77-yard drive culminating in a field goal. He completed key passes to Anthony Gould and Michael Pittman Jr. while steadily improving accuracy as the drive progressed. His best throw came late in the drive, a perfectly timed, high-arching pass to Warren on the left sideline near the goal line, demonstrating his ability to read the defense and deliver under pressure.
Unfortunately, the Colts were pushed back by an offensive holding penalty at the 5-yard line, forcing them to settle for three points rather than a touchdown. Nonetheless, Jones’ composure helped provide the offense with a smooth and efficient look, arguably their most consistent performance this preseason.
Richardson’s Performance Highlights Potential and Areas for Growth
Anthony Richardson threw six completions on eleven attempts for 73 yards and added nine rushing yards during his time on the field. Entering after Jones’ opening drives, Richardson had three possessions to make his mark in the first half.
On his first series, Richardson led a 90-yard, 12-play drive culminating in the Colts’ lone touchdown of the game. His short but precise 9-yard throw on a rollout to Anthony Gould stood out as an encouraging sign of improved accuracy on intermediate throws, an area previously identified as a weakness.
“The MOST ENCOURAGING throw from Anthony Richardson’s 90 yard Scoring Drive…Under Centre, Play Action and Rolling out to his Left and PUTS IT ON THE NUMBERS!! Take YOUR LAYUPS! pic.twitter.com/BjXy72zMyE” — Talkin’ Colts
Despite this positive moment, Richardson’s drive was marred when he held onto the ball too long on a third-and-4 play in the red zone, resulting in an ineligible receiver downfield penalty. Still, he showed resilience by scrambling for a first down on the next play, setting up Tyler Goodson’s short rushing touchdown.
Richardson’s second drive, starting deep in Packers territory after a recovered fumble, revealed some ongoing challenges. He delayed his throw and misjudged passes to running back DJ Giddens, including one thrown behind and another too far ahead. A risky attempt to fit a ball into coverage near the goal line to tight end Will Mallory demonstrated decision-making concerns with defenders closing in.
His final possession ended in a three-and-out, but he flashed his deep passing ability by delivering a perfect 38-yard strike to Gould, who secured the catch. Unfortunately, the play was nullified by an offensive offside penalty, eliminating the momentum.
Assessing the Quarterback Competition: A Narrow Advantage for Jones
Based on this game alone, Daniel Jones holds a marginal lead in the Colts’ quarterback race. Despite the bobbled snap and early misses, Jones’ performance was marked by smoother offensive execution and more consistent ball placement, allowing the Colts to sustain drives more effectively.
Anthony Richardson demonstrated flashes of brilliance, including an impressive scoring drive and a strong deep throw, but also revealed familiar weaknesses, such as inconsistent timing and questionable decision-making under pressure. His risk-taking tendencies, especially the throw into heavy coverage, highlight the volatility he could bring to the offense.
Jones’ game may lack the highest potential ceiling compared to Richardson’s dynamic upside, but his steadiness provides a more reliable foundation. Given the Colts’ need for offensive stability in 2025, a higher floor under center could prove more valuable as the season begins.