Colts Shock NFL by Naming Daniel Jones Starting QB Over Anthony Richardson

By Jason Bolton August 20, 2025 02:37

The Indianapolis Colts have shocked the NFL world by naming Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback over the much-hyped Anthony Richardson for the 2025 season. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision on Tuesday, making it clear that Jones is slated to be the Colts' Week 1 starter against the Miami Dolphins and will hold the QB1 role throughout the entire season.

“I thought the competition in training camp was great by both of those guys,” Steichen said. “But I was really looking for consistency the operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the protection, ball placement, and completion percentage. Daniel did a great job in those areas”.

Jones, 28, signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts after a turbulent tenure with the New York Giants. Drafted sixth overall in 2019, Jones has amassed 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions over six NFL seasons but struggled with turnovers and consistency. His 2024 season ended with a benching and eventual release after he started 2-8 for the Giants. Now, Jones aims to revitalize his career in Indianapolis.

In contrast, Richardson, the Colts’ 2023 first-round pick at No. 4, was expected to be the franchise's quarterback of the future. Despite his electric athleticism and dual-threat capabilities, Richardson has struggled to deliver consistent passing performances. His completion rate over two seasons sits at just 50.6%, with more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (11) over 15 starts. Injuries have also hampered his development, causing him to miss 19 games.

Richardson’s camp voiced its dissatisfaction with the decision. His agent, Deiric Jackson, expressed concerns about trust within the Colts organization and questioned the credibility of the team's evaluation process. Jackson acknowledged Richardson’s improvements during the offseason but suggested the choice might have been determined prematurely, further complicating Richardson's long-term outlook with the Colts.

Statistically, Jones profiles as the safer, more consistent option. Over his six-year career, he has a 64.1% completion rate, led the Giants to a playoff berth and a Wild Card victory in 2022, and avoided extended injury disruptions. However, his record as a starter 24 wins, 44 losses, and 1 tie reflects challenges with team success. The Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard had earlier hinted that Jones could lead the Colts to an estimated 7.9 wins per season, compared to only 6.5 wins projected with Richardson under center.

During the preseason, both quarterbacks showcased flashes of their potential. Jones went 7-for-11 for 101 yards in his latest preseason game, displaying smart decision-making and solid pocket presence. Richardson impressed with his athleticism, engineering a touchdown drive in the same game and showing notable progress in his passing accuracy on short and intermediate routes. Yet, Jones’ poise and consistency ultimately swung the decision in his favor.

Steichen, emphasizing that this is not a temporary experiment, added, “He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that.” The Colts hope Jones’ experience and steadiness will provide a solid foundation for a team looking to regain competitiveness in the AFC South.

The decision highlights the Colts’ desire for immediate stability at the quarterback position, even if it means delaying Richardson's development. While Jones continues to seek redemption, Richardson faces an uphill battle to reclaim confidence and prove his worth in the NFL.

As Week 1 approaches, all eyes will be on Indianapolis to see if Jones can lead the Colts to success or if Richardson will seize future opportunities to recapture his projected star potential. The Colts’ gamble on Daniel Jones is a clear statement: experience and consistency currently outweigh raw upside in their quest to win.