After a rough season two years ago, the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson Sr. with the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft. Just two years later, leading up to the 2025 season, Richardson found himself in a QB battle with newly acquired quarterback Daniel Jones from the New York Giants, a battle Jones ultimately won.
Taking a quarterback that high in an NFL draft shows you have high hopes for him to succeed, so starting a veteran quarterback over Richardson in what would be his third year in the league is surprising.
Nonetheless, the Colts' head coach Shane Steichen justified his controversial decision with praise for Jones’ leadership.
“He’s a great communicator with the guys,” Steichen stated after Jones was named the starting quarterback. “You can see that veteran presence out there. So, I'm excited for that."
After the Colts' week one blowout against the Dolphins, 33-8, it’s clear Steichen made the right decision in starting Jones. He threw for 272 passing yards and racked up three total touchdowns in a near-perfect game for Indianapolis.
Ever since Andrew Luck retired in 2019, the Colts have experienced massive instability at the quarterback position, going through 10 different players, finally leading up to Jones. Jones brings experience that the Colts haven’t had since starting Philip Rivers in 2020. Although his time with the Giants was often inconsistent, going 25-44-1 in the six years he was there, he had his moments, leading the Giants to a road playoff win in 2023 against the Minnesota Vikings.
With the weapons the Colts have on their offense, the team needs a leader who will make the right decision and run the offense thoroughly.
Jones also complements Steichen’s offensive scheme perfectly. He’s a versatile player, extending plays with his legs while also being a precise passer, completing 76% of his passes against the Dolphins while committing zero turnovers. Jones praised Steichen’s scheme and said there is “a lot of genius in that simplicity.”
Although the fans want to see Richardson out on the field, Steichen’s strategy might play out better than people think.
In Richardson’s two seasons as the Colts' starting quarterback, he missed 17 out of 34 possible games. During his rookie season, he suffered a significant AC joint sprain in his shoulder, causing him to miss 13 games and in 2024. Then he suffered multiple strains, leading to four more missed games. Staying healthy is one of the most important traits an NFL player, especially a quarterback, can have, so his early career stints are pretty concerning.
Richardson has also struggled with his accuracy and decision-making, completing only 50.6% of his passes while turning the ball over 17 times in his first two seasons. His physical tools and raw talent are off the charts, and he’s shown flashes of greatness, but there’s a lot to improve. Giving Richardson a full season to learn from the sidelines, rather than being thrown back into the fire, will not only improve his overall health, but it will also give him time to reflect on his game.
This strategy isn’t a new one either. Quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees didn’t start until their second year in the league. Even Super Bowl winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t start in the NFL until his fourth year. Allowing Richardson to sit on the bench for a few weeks or a season will allow him to learn and improve, a plan that has worked wonders for many quarterbacks over the years.
As an NFL coach, you are always going to be balancing the pressure to “win now” while being responsible for building a future for the franchise. Richardson’s potential is there, but starting a consistent veteran quarterback could give the Colts a better chance to make the playoffs and improve the team so that they’re ready for Richardson’s return in the near future. This decision isn’t only about week one; it’s about laying the groundwork for future success.
CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct the year Andrew Luck retired.
