Colts head coach Shane Steichen made it clear this week that the Colts’ backup quarterback job is not locked in.
Steichen said Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard will compete for the No. 2 job behind Daniel Jones. When asked if it will be a 50/50 competition, Steichen said, “Yeah, I would say right now. We’ll see how it all plays out.” He also noted that Richardson is “back in the fold” and working with the team.
That creates the most interesting depth-chart battle on the roster.
Richardson, the former
No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, enters the final year of his rookie contract after the Colts declined his fifth-year option. His time in Indianapolis has been defined by flashes, injuries and inconsistency. The physical talent is still obvious, but he has not developed into the long-term starter the Colts hoped he would become when they drafted him out of Florida.
Leonard, meanwhile, enters the competition from a different place. He does not carry the same expectations or disappointment. The former Notre Dame and Duke quarterback was drafted later, has a developmental profile and gives the Colts another young option behind Jones. His job is to prove he can command the offense, protect the football and be reliable enough if called upon.
On paper, Richardson still has the higher ceiling. He has rare size, athleticism and arm strength, and he has starting experience in the league. But this battle is not just about upside as the backup quarterback job is about trust, preparation and whether the coaching staff believes a player can keep the offense functioning if the starter misses time.
Richardson has more talent and experience. Leonard has a clean slate, one fantastic game under his belt and an opportunity to earn more trust quickly. The preseason will likely decide it, but every rep through minicamps, training camp and the preseason will be crucial.
For Richardson, the stakes are obvious. Losing the backup job would be another major blow to his standing with the organization. For Leonard, winning it would be a significant step early in his NFL career.
Either way, the Colts have made it clear that the job behind Jones is open.
