After head coach Shane Steichen somewhat surprisingly named veteran Daniel Jones the starter, there is definitely a shakeup among the Indianapolis Colts locker room leadership—a controversial move which left many Horseshoe fans shaking their heads, seemingly more in disgust than in nodding approval.
There’s definitely a fall out now.
Despite earlier public comments to the contrary, the Colts appear to have largely given up on the costly, Anthony Richardson passing project for now, as the still 23-year-old
former 4th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft will now be the primary backup quarterback behind Jones and won’t receive the meaningful game day reps he so desperately needs for his continued growth and development. The needed patience that the Colts once preached.
Now, the Colts appear to want to win now and must believe they have a strong enough supporting cast to at least be an AFC wild card team with Jones providing more consistency, a greater command of the offense, and improved leadership starting behind center than his raw passing, yet insanely athletic young QB predecessor.
What does it mean for some key Colts though:
STOCK UP
- Daniel Jones: Credit to Jones. He wasn’t the fan favorite by all indications, but his ability to be the ‘teacher’s pet’ to Steichen ultimately won the day over the enigmatic Richardson. The highs weren’t as high as Richardson’s highs throughout training camp and preseason, but neither were the lows contrastingly. Jones was steadily OK, and coupled with his workmanlike, studious off-the-field habits, he eventually bested Richardson for the job. I’m not expecting this ‘Indiana Jones’ to become an Pro Bowler by any means for Indy, but he’s an NFL starting quarterback again when it initially appeared he was headed to be a top backup quarterback again. Having an opportunity right now is better than being on the bench with none—although yes, that could potentially change with an injury or continued poor performance.
- Josh Downs: Downs should feast with Jones making more underneath, ‘taking what the defense gives,’ checkdowns and conservative passing. This is not all that dissimilar to when longtime veteran Joe Flacco took over last year for the Colts in relief of Richardson—and once an afterthought, Downs immediately thrived:
STOCK DOWN
- Anthony Richardson: Whether the winner of the Colts starting QB competition was already predetermined by Steichen is up for debate, especially with Richardson arguably at least slightly outplaying the veteran addition throughout training camp and preseason on the field. That being said, it doesn’t bode well for Richardson to be the Colts franchise quarterback anymore if beginning in Year 3, he can’t beat out Daniel Jones for the starting job. Everything was once seemingly in alignment for Richardson, as after being selected 4th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, he was being surrounded with Steichen, who played a pivotal role play-calling wise in Jalen Hurts becoming a national star. He was also being aided by quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, who also coached former NFL MVP Cam Newton. He had a tantalizing start to his pro career in 2023 during his first 4 starts before being shut down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Fast forward two years later, and reoccurring injuries and naivety have plagued Richardson. In Steichen’s eyes, Richardson wasn’t able to fully command the Colts offense the way he wanted, isn’t consistent enough at quarterback, and perhaps there were off-the-field habits that lingered—at least compared to the Colts starting quarterback winner Jones, who has been great in those regards if you ask young wideout AD Mitchell.
- Alec Pierce: One of the greatest regular season touchdown throws in Colts franchise history may become a distant memory, as Pierce may not be seeing nearly as many deep ball opportunities with the more risk adverse and weaker armed Jones behind center compared to Richardson’s rocket launcher of a throwing arm downfield.
