Shane Steichen states he would like to come to a decision on the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts sooner rather than later. It appears the ultimate decision is near, yet the debate among fans continues and will do so even after the starter is named. Will it be Anthony Richardson; the young explosive yet often injured incumbent, or will it be Daniel Jones; the veteran who strategically planted himself in Indy for his best chance at a starting role? Fans have been told all offseason
it was a two man race and both options were on the table. Unfortunately, that was a lie. There is only one choice that can be made.
Richardson will be the starter on day one. That doesn’t mean he will be the starter all year due to injury or performance, but bet your bottom dollar, Richardson will be under center to start against the Dolphins. Jones isn’t even an option at this point. Ok, he is technically an option and could very well be the starter because I don’t have a crystal ball, but he still isn’t an option for this franchise in 2025. If Jones is named the starter, that is the end for Richardson in Indianapolis. Stick a fork in him because he is done. Richardson has already been benched mid-season. That is a one time deal in the NFL. Players and especially quarterbacks don’t survive a second benching. Jones starting would signal the biggest loss of confidence in Richardson. Nothing would undo that type of damage.
Starting Jones, a journeyman quarterback at this point, would indicate that Richardson couldn’t beat out a mid-tier quarterback on the team he currently calls home. It would signal that Chris Ballard, Steichen, and anyone else who had a say and spent premium draft capital to take Richardson fourth overall was dead wrong. They were so wrong in fact that all they managed to give him was a season worth of on the field work. While not the biggest embarrassments in professional sports, it doesn’t do anything to instill confidence in that group going forward. It would indicate a clean sweep of the entire front office was needed. Using your best pick in a decade on a player who can’t even start their “sophomore” season worth of games is disappointing at best. It would be the death knell for many in the organization.
Picking between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones goes far beyond two players and their abilities. It has franchise altering ramifications to it. That is why Richardson is the only choice, if only to save face and potentially delay the reality that is “starting over”. To go with Jones, means too many people were wrong and forces the franchise back to the drawing board. Starting Richardson could work out in the long run, or could at least delay the inevitable. Steichen would have already used his potential get out jail free card if he starts Jones over Richardson from the jump. As coach whose seat is potentially warm, keeping all potential exits open will be important, as the other way around just wouldn’t work. Yes, two men still vie for the starting role, but there is only one choice. There has always only ever been one choice.