Stampede Blue
The biggest headline heading into the offseason program is who will take snaps for the Colts in 2025. We’ve heard about this competition since January, and now it’s finally here. And make no mistake, it will be discussed extensively. Narratives will run wild, analysts will race to plant their flag with a specific quarterback—but, honestly, much of their commentary won’t have much evidence attached to it.
Every quarterback’s story is unique, and these two are no exception. Anthony Richardson is heading into his third year in the NFL. Through his first two seasons, it hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. When the Colts drafted him, they knew there were going to be growing pains. But I don’t think they anticipated getting into a bidding war to sign a free-agent quarterback to compete for the starting role in his third year.
The biggest indictment of Anthony Richardson so far has been his inability to stay healthy. In the spring of 2023, it was “reps, reps, reps,” but with a season-ending shoulder injury, a hip injury, a concussion, and a back injury, that’s been hard to accomplish.
His on the field play has been way too sporadic. On one hand, he can make the plays that no other QB in the NFL can make. He can throw a ball 60 yards off his back foot, throw a dime in mid-air staring down the barrel of one-of the greatest pass rushers off all time in his face, and can run over DB’s at the goalline.
On the other hand, he struggles to make the plays that every other QB can make. Everyone points to completion percentage, but that’s not the best metric to measure QB play (story for another day). But nonetheless, there has been zero efficiency in the passing game. Passes will sail over receivers heads, or even worse, right into the hands of a defender. There also was a lack of confidence in his reads and decision making—especially when facing pressure.
This is not even mentioning the fact that he tapped himself out of a game—a move that was downplayed by the team, but unequivocally had its ramifications. And of course, there were the reports that that he was not working hard enough.
But through all the chaos— he’s still the team’s former number four overall pick. He’s the guy that Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen bet their jobs on. He’s the 23 year old player on his rookie contract with all the potential in the world. But as we know, potential gets you fired. The Colts needed more from him and they needed more from him right away.
Here comes Daniel Jones.
Daniel Jones has an equally complicated tenure in the NFL. It’s riddled with injuries, poor decision making, and an eventual benching—but also a strong 2022 season and a playoff win. The story has been complex, but it’s not written. After his release he spent the rest of the season in the Vikings QB room backing up Sam Darnold....
