ClutchPoints
Coming off a disappointing season in 2024, the Indianapolis Colts endured arguably the roughest spring of any team in the league. While expectations are still reasonably high, the Colts’ 2025 offseason roster is in a peculiar position coming out of minicamp.
From the tragic passing of beloved owner Jim Irsay to a concerning injury to quarterback Anthony Richardson, everything seems to have gone wrong for the Colts early on. The adversity could hardly have come at a worse moment, given the tension within the organization.
Ahead of their third season together, many fans are unhappy with Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and are pushing for the two to be replaced. The frustration extended to Richardson, whom many already want the team to move on from. Before his sudden death, Irsay opted not to make any significant changes. Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson — Irsay’s three daughters, who assumed ownership of the Colts — appear to fully back their father’s judgment.
Even with Ballard and Steichen returning, the Colts still underwent notable changes in the 2025 offseason. Steichen fired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and replaced him with former Cincinnati Bengals assistant Lou Anarumo. Ballard also declared that the team would give Richardson competition in 2025 before subsequently signing Daniel Jones in free agency.
The foundational changes will force Indianapolis to rebuild one way or another. The wide range of variables makes predicting the Colts’ 2025 season path difficult, particularly with the unexpected turns the team’s 2025 offseason roster took in minicamp.
No player has generated more buzz from the Colts’ 2025 OTAs and minicamp than Daniel Jones. As Richardson nurses his shoulder injury, the former New York Giants quarterback has reportedly taken full command of the offense and impressed with his leadership and accuracy. Indianapolis signed Jones in free agency to push Richardson, but might have a legitimate and unexpected quarterback battle on its hands in training camp.
Jones never truly found his footing with the Giants, but he is a substantially better passer than Richardson. The incumbent starter completed just 47.7 percent of his passes in 2024, a historically poor success rate. Accuracy was an issue for Richardson all season long, as he threw just eight touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Jones has been a popular target on social media for the better part of a decade, but there is no denying him as the better pocket passer between the two. His 64.1 completion rate is on par with the league average. Jones has never been a confident downfield passer, but Richardson’s inability to consistently hit receivers in stride is not much of a threat in that department. Playing behind the Colts’ elite offensive line will give Jones more time and confidence than he ever had behind the Giants’ horrendous blocking unit.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Richardson’s shoulder, there is a realistic scenario where he misses Game 1. Jones might not even need to beat him out in training camp...
