The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that Daniel Jones will serve as their starting quarterback for the entire season, sidelining Anthony Richardson, their 2023 first-round draft pick. Head coach Shane Steichen emphasized this decision isn’t temporary and stems from observations throughout training camp and preseason games.
“I don’t want to have a short leash on that,”
Steichen said during a press conference in Indianapolis, underlining the team’s commitment to Jones as the starter. Signed as a free agent this offseason, Jones competed directly with Richardson for the starting role and ultimately secured it thanks to his consistency and command on the field.
The factors behind Daniel Jones securing the starting role
Coach Steichen pointed to several technical areas that influenced his decision. Jones showcased steady performance with his operation at the line of scrimmage, protection checks, ball placement, and completion rate. In contrast, although Richardson has improved, he still requires further development in these areas.
I don’t want to have a short leash on that,
—Shane Steichen, Colts Head Coach
You guys heard me talk about the consistency, and that’s really what I was looking for,
—Shane Steichen, Colts Head Coach
Really, the operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the protections, the ball placement, the completion percentage, all of that played a factor. I think Daniel did a great job (being consistent), and I think AR has made strides in that area. But I do feel he needs to continue to develop in those areas.
—Shane Steichen, Colts Head Coach
Implications for Fantasy Football: Upside lost and new opportunities
From a Fantasy football perspective, this development offers two sides. Richardson represented a high-upside sleeper option at quarterback due to his unique rushing ability, while Jones provides a steadier but less dynamic presence. Richardson’s rushing stats are impressive—he averaged nearly 18.3 Fantasy points per game during his two seasons and demonstrated the potential to be one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s most productive running quarterbacks.
Last season, Richardson was on track for 808 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over the 10 games he was active, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. However, his passing game remains a concern, with a career completion percentage around 50.6 and a tendency toward interception risk, as seen with his 14 touchdowns against 20 interceptions pacing in 2024.
The hope was that after working with a quarterback coach who helped develop Josh Allen, Richardson could elevate his passing game in his third year. But with Jones now starting, Richardson will likely remain on the bench unless Jones is injured or unable to perform.
Daniel Jones’s fantasy profile: Stability with occasional high ceilings
Jones has shown he can deliver solid Fantasy numbers in specialized formats. His past includes two seasons with averages above 19 Fantasy points per game, including his rookie year and the 2022 season with the New York Giants. In 2022, he recorded 3,205 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and added 708 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
His rushing stats place him among a select group of NFL quarterbacks to achieve over 3,000 passing yards and 700 rushing yards in one season. This group includes notable dual-threat QBs such as Randall Cunningham, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Josh Allen.
Despite his rushing ability adding value, Jones’s Fantasy performances also come with volatility; he scored less than 20 points in 46 out of 70 career games, reflecting inconsistency that Fantasy managers must weigh.
How the quarterback change impacts Colts’ receiving corps and running backs
Jones’s starting role is expected to positively impact key Colts skill players by creating a more balanced offense that emphasizes consistency and accuracy. This change benefits Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and tight end Tyler Warren, all of whom may see increased opportunities and Fantasy value.
Jonathan Taylor, in particular, should gain from Jones’s involvement as a receiving option out of the backfield. When Richardson was at quarterback last season, Taylor averaged 16.6 PPR points per game across nine games but was less active in the passing game. Conversely, during five games with Joe Flacco, Taylor’s receiving output was stronger, suggesting Jones will enhance Taylor’s role beyond rushing alone.
Michael Pittman’s Fantasy value may rebound as well. In 2024, Pittman struggled with injuries and inconsistency while Richardson was starting, averaging 7.9 PPR points over 10 games. However, in just six games with Flacco, Pittman averaged 14.3 points, showing he thrives under more accurate quarterbacks. Pittman is projected as a mid-to-late round draft pick in Fantasy formats.
Similarly, Josh Downs could see an uptick if healthy, as he posted better numbers with Flacco at the helm compared to games with Richardson. Both Pittman and Downs are likely to benefit from more precise short-yardage passing designed by Jones.
Tight end Tyler Warren emerges as a good Fantasy asset in this new setup. Warren, a standout college player at Penn State in 2024, had 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and 8 touchdowns, along with 26 rushing attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns. Jones is expected to utilize Warren frequently, boosting his Fantasy appeal significantly.
Challenges ahead for other Colts receivers and what’s next
The receivers Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell face uncertainties. Pierce, who is recovering from a groin injury, likely sees diminished value given that his deep-ball skills don’t align well with Jones’s style of short-area throws. Pierce’s 2024 numbers featured 37 receptions for 824 yards and seven touchdowns, with a whopping 22.3 yards per catch, the highest among receivers with 50+ targets, but this deep threat role may be minimized now.
Both Pierce and Mitchell could serve as waiver wire pickups in the event of injuries, but their roles are expected to be limited in the immediate future.
With Jones’s more methodical style, short, accurate passes should elevate the entire offense’s efficiency, benefiting Taylor, Pittman, Downs, and Warren. Although Richardson showed more excitement and big-play upside, the Colts believe Jones will maximize the potential of their playmakers this season.