Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen announced today that the team is opting for the former Giants’ veteran QB to start the season.
After a training camp and preseason battle with both Daniel Jones and third-year QB Anthony Richardson splitting starting snaps, the Colts decide on Daniel Jones to be the Week 1 starter vs the Miami Dolphins. Richardson notably didn’t get to play in the preseason with the majority of the starters, either due to his teammates’ injuries/rest or being the 2nd QB in the Week 2 preseason game, coming in at the start of the 2nd Quarter. The news marks the eighth different Week 1 starting QB in the 9 years
of Chris Ballard’s tenure as General Manager with the Colts:
Why Daniel Jones was named Colts starter
In a press conference, Steichen told the press that Jones won’t be on a short leash, and they are expecting him to be the QB for the season.
“I feel confident in his ability to lead us” – Shane Steichen on Daniel Jones named his starting QB.
The decision came down three factors per Nate Atkins of IndyStar:
- Consistency
- Operation at the Line of Scrimmage
- Completion %
Steichen also noted that behind the scenes he was able to see Jones’ work ethic and connection with teammates.
He reminded Richardson to stay ready, saying he is only one play away. The Colts coach reiterated that Richardson still has room to grow. This decision was made by Shane Steichen and he informed both General Manager Chris Ballard and Colts Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Monday. Steichen then informed the team the next day prior to talking to the media.
Steichen also remarked that Richardson’s injury woes have played a factor in his growth, with a minor pre-training camp tweak to his prior AC joint injury and his Preseason Week 1 pinkie dislocation reducing his time on the field this offseason
Steichen didn’t rule out Richardson getting an opportunity later on, and reiterated that the Colts would evaluate to see if Jones could be given another deal after his 1 year deal expires based on his 2025 play.
“Well, I think, let’s see how the season goes. If he plays really well for us, then there’s a conversation (to have) after the season.”
Fan and Analyst Reactions to Daniel Jones being named the Colts starter
Naturally the fanbase has not taken the news well that the Colts have relegated their 2023 4th Overall Pick to backup for the 2nd time in his first 3 seasons. They are not alone in that belief as many reporters and analysts disagree based on what they’ve seen from both QBs and a desire to see Richardson get more reps to try to break bad habits and develop.
The former Florida Gator struggled with accuracy issues derived from poor passing mechanics, had a steeper learning curve from college to pros as one of the youngest and most inexperienced starting QBs in NFL history, and had issues staying healthy in his first two seasons. His infamous tap-out moment for a 3rd and 25 and the subsequent benching due to poor film and practice habits as well didn’t help matters. Daniel Jones himself was also benched to 3rd string in 2024 by the New York Giants, due to the Giants 2-8 record, the financial implications of his extension that was in effect, and DeVito outperforming Jones in 2023 when the then rookie QB took over after Jones’ ACL tear that ended his season.
Perhaps starting Richardson from the jump was a mistake, as the Colts expressed regret in doing. Maybe focusing more on patiently developing good habits in film study, mechanics, and even diet from the start of his career on the sidelines instead with Minshew and perhaps Flacco being named starters in 2023-2024 would have helped Richardson along and minimized his injury risk. The Colts did repeatedly emphasize patience after drafting him. Though even that could have been a mistake and the Colts could have taken a QB in an earlier draft (Jalen Hurts in Round 2, 2020) or been more patient and waited for a QB in the QB loaded 2024 Draft.
The best fans can hope for is either Daniel Jones has a career renaissance like other recent QBs have after leaving their first NFL teams and eventually landing in better situations elsewhere (Geno Smith from Jets to Seahawks, Sam Darnold from Jets to Vikings, Baker Mayfield from Browns to Buccaneers), or that Richardson takes a step forward and can get playing time later on. Wouldn’t be the first QB to have a fire lit under him after benching and perform better when given another opportunity, but the odds aren’t great.
Whatever the case may be, the Colts do not plan to have Richardson starting barring extenuating circumstances (poor play by Jones combined with bad early record, injuries).
Moving Forward with Daniel Jones
Besides the traits Shane Steichen listed, what does Jones bring to the Colts on the field for 2025?
Jones brings better accuracy and a more conservative play style than Richardson, while still providing valuable designed QB run ability for the Colts RPO and Play Action heavy attack. Though I will remind fans, better accuracy and more conservative play style hasn’t equated to production and efficiency in his prior stop. The Giants had to play a very limited offense with a remarkably low depth of target annually, 6.4 in 2022 marked Jones’ career low in that metric, and was lowest in the NFL that year.
By limiting Jones’ issues with throwing at intermediate to deep depths, relying on the run game, misdirection, and yards after the catch from his targets to generate offense, the Giants were at their most successful in 2022, going 9-6-1 with Jones as a starter and making the playoffs. Jones was even able to outduel Kirk Cousins in the Wildcard game to win his first career playoff game (before being blown out by eventual NFC Champions and division rival Eagles in the Divisional round 7-38).
This approach did not lead to consistent winning however, with a 24-44-1 record as a Giant and porous stats for the passer out of Duke for most of his career.
NFL Coaches and Executives around the NFL don’t think highly of Jones nor the 2024 starting QBs Richardson and Flacco, putting them in Tier 4 in a poll made by the Athletic and ranking each 30th-32nd overall amongst NFL QBs.
Perhaps a better team around him with the Colts offensive line (when healthy) showing ability to be a top notch unit to protect him, Jonathan Taylor commanding a sizable workload as one of the NFL’s best pure runners to be the engine of the offense, and throwing to the Colts weapons core of Michael Pittman Jr, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, and rookie Tight End Tyler Warren will give him an adequate arsenal of options that can help the Colts return to middle of the pack in the NFL hierarchy. Maybe they can make a surprise run to the playoffs like the 2022 Giants if Jones can limit his turnovers and play within the offense. The Colts Defense if healthy will need to show improvements to make that a reality under new Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Both QBs have their flaws and question marks, as well as merits to start. Jones has the quick passing advantage and can keep the offense churning first downs in a death-by-1000 cuts approach, while reportedly showing more leadership and connection with his teammates as well as better command of the offense at the line. Richardson brings the dynamic big play potential and increased QB rushing ability and has a more unknown ceiling with his limited experience.
But with “Ifs”, “Maybes”, and “Perhaps” littering my article, I ask you reader: how confident are you in the Colts current regime’s decision? Time will tell if it was the correct one to save the Colts season, or potentially the last in a series of short lived decisions on the Colts QB carousel.
