The main draw to the Indianapolis Colts was the position battle for the starting quarterback spot between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.
Jones won the job to be behind center in Week 1 and made the most of his first start with Indianapolis, beating the Miami Dolphins, 33-8. The former New York Giant threw for 272 yards and a passing touchdown, while also being a threat with his legs, rushing for 26 yards and having two rushing touchdowns.
Jones’ debut performance with the Colts landed him on NFL website senior writer Jeffri Chadiha’s biggest surprises in Week 1 of the 2025-26 season.
“This will be a surprise to many, but yours truly went on record earlier this summer in predicting Jones would win Comeback Player of the Year honors. Why? Because of what he showed in a 33-8 win over Miami on Sunday,” Chadiha wrote. “Jones produced an impressive start… and proved that the pairing of him and head coach Shane Steichen could resurrect the player’s career.”
“There’s still a long road for Jones to travel this season, of that there is no question. It’s also true that he beat out former top-five pick Anthony Richardson for this job for a reason. He’s more reliable, more accomplished and, judging by what we saw on Sunday, more prepared than ever to be the best version of himself.”
Daniel Jones On His Colts Debut
GettyIndianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen believes that Daniel Jones played great in the season opener. Saying that Jones was throwing the ball well and continued to do so.
Jones spoke to the media fter the game when a reporter asked him how it felt after the last few years.
“It felt good to get a win, for sure,” Jones said. “Thought we played well… I think I’ve learned over the years, it’s a long season, 17-game season and you got to play at a high level the whole time. I think we feel good about the start for sure.”
“Some things to clean up and work on, but I think everyone on our team’s mature enough, knows enough that we’ve got to continue to grow and improve. The best teams in the league continue to build on success and improve. It’s about what you’re able to sustain through the course of the season.”
What It Means For Anthony Richardson
GettyQuarterback Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
Daniel Jones had to beat out the former 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to become the starting quarterback.
Richardson hasn’t been able to live up to the first-round expectations that were given to him two years ago.
Jones performed well in his first start and it could spell the end of Richardson’s time in Indianapolis. Richardson can either sit behind Jones or wait for an opportunity to show that he can be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL
It was reported last week that Richardson’s team and the Colts discussed the future of the quarterback in Indianapolis.
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