Total Pro Sports
The Indianapolis Colts have named Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter for the upcoming NFL season, with the veteran edging out 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson.
Richardson, who has faced criticism in recent times, had been competing with newcomer Jones for the starting position but has lost out. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision on Tuesday.
Jones joined the Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal in March following struggles with the New York Giants and a brief spell with the Minnesota Vikings. He’s now set to lead them out in their season opener, according to ESPN.
While his production was thought to be lacking in recent seasons, Jones is believed to have impressed coaches in Indy with his decision-making and control of the offense, as well as his reactions under pressure.
“It’s everything,” Steichen said after the team’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. “The operation, the communication in the huddle, the checks, getting guys on the same page. The consistency of all that, obviously, is going to play a big factor in this.”
Richardson was drafted as the fourth overall pick in 2023 and showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie year, but sustained a season-ending shoulder injury that put his career on hold.
He was hit with further setbacks last season and displayed inconsistency throughout. He was also unfortunate to suffer a gruesome finger injury in practice this summer.
Jones, meanwhile, will lead the Colts into their Week 1 fixture against the Miami Dolphins on September 7, barring injury. He will be the team’s 12th different starter since 2018, highlighting their instability following Andrew Luck’s retirement.
Luck, whose career was cut short by injury, recently revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he planned to play until his mid-forties.
Richardson remains on Indy’s roster, but his future as the franchise quarterback is now more uncertain than ever. The team will have to decide on his fifth-year option by next year, so it will be interesting to see which direction they take.
