The Indianapolis Colts have announced that Daniel Jones will be their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. After a challenging competition throughout training camp, Jones secured the role over Anthony Richardson Sr., who was the team’s former first-round pick. This decision marks a significant moment for the Colts as they prepare for the upcoming <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season.
Jones’ Journey to Earning the Starting Role
Daniel Jones, 28, joined the Colts this offseason on a one-year contract worth $14 million after playing for the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings last season. His previous season included being benched midway in favor of Tommy DeVito, followed by a request for release, leading to his short stint with Minnesota. Selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft from Duke, Jones has experienced a career with notable highs and lows. Across six seasons, he has thrown for 14,582 yards and 70 touchdowns. His standout year came in 2022, when he achieved a career-high 3,205 passing yards and led the Giants to the playoffs, earning a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract at the time.
Anthony Richardson’s Challenges and Potential
Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Florida, faced his first real competition for the starting quarterback position during this training camp. Although named the Colts’ starter after his initial preseason game as a rookie, his place heading into his third year was not guaranteed. Richardson has appeared in only 15 games over his first two seasons, with a rookie year limited to four games before season-ending shoulder surgery. Last season, injuries to his back, foot, and hip further restricted him to 11 games. When healthy, Richardson’s combination of arm strength and rushing ability—totaling 635 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns—provides a dynamic option for the Colts, offering a different style than Jones. However, his accuracy has been a concern, with just a 50.5% completion rate on passing attempts.
Colts’ Outlook Entering the 2025 Season
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the Colts are seen as strong contenders in the AFC South, holding the third-best odds at 3-1 to win the division behind the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Additionally, Indianapolis has the ninth-best chance among AFC teams to reach the playoffs, with odds of +172 according to FanDuel. Naming Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback signals the Colts’ intent to build on their potential while balancing the promise and challenges faced by Richardson. How the competition will influence their season may become clearer as the campaign unfolds.