Since Indianapolis Colts‘ quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered an injury during offseason practices that caused him to be shut down until training camp, it was widely figured that Daniel Jones would win the starting job. But, so far in camp that doesn’t seem to be the case necessarily.
Chris Bumbaca or USA Today thinks that Richardson might not only win the starting quarterback job, he might win it going away.
“Pretty soon, Richardson may be running away with the Colts’ quarterback competition he’s currently in with Daniel Jones,” Bumbaca writes. “No decisions have been made. But the first two days of padded practice at training camp saw Richardson assert himself as the leader in the clubhouse, with the fourth overall pick from 2023 mostly running with the first-team offense.”
Media speculation is well noted, but ultimate it’s coaches that make the decisions.
“You can see that Anthony’s offseason work is paying off,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “He’s gotta keep going. We gotta keep working on it. We gotta keep pushing to get better. But we’re always encouraged when a guy goes out and puts work in and shows up and plays a little bit better because of it.”
Richardson’s youth and draft position give him an edge
The Colts used significant draft capital to bring in Richardson. So, in an ideal world, the guy you just drafted fourth overall a couple of years ago would win the job and be the hero over the guy you signed to a one-year deal off of the scrap heap (the Colts said there was plenty of competition for his services, but whatever).
Does Richardson feel like he has an edge?
“Honestly, I can’t really answer that, because it’s not really up to me to decide whether there is any separation,” Richardson told USA Today. “The only thing I can focus on is if I’m doing everything in my power to be right.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks that Richardson has a bit of a leg up at this point, even if it’s just to start the season.
“I know Jones appears to have taken over the No. 1 spot on the depth chart after Richardson’s spring injury, but training camp is where Richardson looks the best — if he’s healthy, he’s likely to outperform Jones on the practice field,” Graziano writes. “The Colts also have a lot more invested in Richardson, and if it’s a close competition, most people I talk to believe that will tilt things in his favor — at least to start the season. Whether he can stay healthy enough or play well enough to hold the job is another matter entirely.
“Richardson is still very young — he turned 23 in May — and his raw ability is off the charts. But he has had trouble staying on the field and hasn’t played well when he has been available. He has 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in his career, though he has added 10 rushing scores.”
Daniel Jones feels like he’s making progress, but wants to be better
It sounds like the Daniel Jones that Colts fans thought they were getting is the Daniel Jones that they are getting. He’s not the trainwreck that many people make him out to be; he’s probably a nice career backup. Overall, he can do some things, but will ultimately drive you nuts and not get you to where you want to be. That’s the full book.
Jones sounds like he might know he’s losing the edge he had in OTAs.
“Where you are the first couple days is not where you want to be,” Jones said. “I think I’ve made progress and taken steps — I think the group as a whole has done that the last couple days in pads.”
Jones almost sounds like a guy who doesn’t know he’s involved in a heated competition. He’s probably saying all of the right things knowing that even if he loses out in training camp he’ll get to start when Richardson eventually vomits him the job.
“We’re both competitors and out here, we’re trying to put our best foot forward as quarterbacks and play well,” Jones said. “But the communication in the meeting room or whatever it is off the field has been great. I think I’ve learned a lot from him. Cam (Turner, quarterbacks coach) does a really good job in the room teaching, getting everyone on the same page, making sure we’re ready to go for practice. It’s been a great room to be a part of.”
I’m guessing no one is giving Riley Leonard a chance?
A Leader in the Indianapolis Colts’ Quarterback Competition Emerges