Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon kicked off training camp week with a clear message: Indianapolis still believes in Anthony Richardson. But that belief now comes with a ticking clock.
The team didn’t just roll into camp with blind faith in its former top-five pick, it also brought in veteran Daniel Jones, a surprise signing that turned heads across the league.
Speaking to Colts.com, Irsay-Gordon reaffirmed belief in the young quarterback’s potential, saying, “We still have time,” a nod to Richardson’s status as a recent No. 4 overall pick. But that patience has limits. “Nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition,” she added, a clear reference to the team’s surprise signing of veteran Daniel Jones this spring.
GM Chris Ballard echoed that message.
While confirming that Richardson is “good to go” after dealing with offseason shoulder soreness, Ballard emphasized growth over excuses. “You’ve got to have a little patience with a guy and let them grow through things,” he told reporters on July 22. “I think we need to give Anthony every chance to be the best he can be.”
Still, the presence of Jones makes one thing obvious: chances won’t last forever.
Colts Kick Off Intense QB Battle
GettyAnthony Richardson and Daniel Jones split reps signal open competition
The Colts wasted no time making this a real competition. At the first full team practice, Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson both got first team reps in team periods.
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that reps will continue to be split, with neither QB locked in. Expect that to continue through the preseason, as Ballard made clear both quarterbacks will see action in August. “It’s important they get into (preseason) games,” the GM said. “We’ll play both of them.”
Richardson completed just 47.7% of his passes last year, the lowest of any regular starter, and that simply won’t cut it in 2025. The Colts believe his elite physical tools give him a ceiling Jones can’t touch, but raw talent won’t matter if he can’t deliver consistent play in camp.
As for Jones, the former Giants starter brings 69 games of experience and a mixed resume: 85 total touchdowns, but also 73 turnovers. Still, Ballard praised his composure under pressure and called him “a very talented player.”
No Room for Error in Colts’ QB Race
GettyRichardson’s chance to cement his role
Richardson enters camp as the favorite, but not by much. He’s younger, more athletic, and carries the long-term upside the Colts still believe in. But this is not a team that’s planning for the future anymore. They’re trying to win now.
Indianapolis hasn’t made the playoffs in four years, and the message from the top is clear: that drought ends when the quarterback question is finally answered.
Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. summed it up best: “You compete every year.” That includes former top picks.
This is Anthony Richardson’s job to win. But it’s also his job to lose. And with Jones in the building, there’s no margin for a slow start. Practice reps, preseason snaps, how each guy handles adversity, all of it matters.
“We have to get the quarterback settled,” GM Chris Ballard said bluntly. Everyone in the building agrees. And now, all eyes turn to Richardson to see if he is ready to take the next step, or if this competition turns into something much more real than the Colts ever planned.
Colts Owner Sends Clear Message on Anthony Richardson Before Training Camp