Only a few teams have uncertainty at the quarterback position in the NFL, and the Indianapolis Colts appear to be the most unsettled heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
Throughout the offseason, Indianapolis' head coach Shane Steichen has been uncertain about what the quarterback situation would be when bringing in Daniel Jones, but it seems that an answer has been made following the health status of Anthony Richardson.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, aggravated the throwing shoulder he had surgery on in his rookie season and hasn't been participating in the Colts' offseason programs since May 29.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws the ball during pregame warm-up Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, ahead of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws the ball during pregame warm-up Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, ahead of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This news put Daniel Jones in the QB1 slot as the team nears its season opener on Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.
The Athletic's James Boyd weighed in on the situation in an article that was published on June 23, saying, "[Daniel] Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open quarterback competition... There is no timetable for his [Anthony Richardson] return, per Colts coach Shane Steichen, which further positions Jones to take over as the Week 1 starter."
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during NFL Colts mandatory mini camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Daniel Jones has publicly said that he was wanting to join a team that will give him a chance at earning a starting quarterback position once again after his falling out with the New York Giants in his first six seasons in the league.
Indianapolis brought in the former first-round quarterback on a one-year, $14 million contract to contest Anthony Richardson for the Colts' starting quarterback position.
With Richardson not participating in offseason workouts, Daniel Jones has taken the QB1 reps and it seems that coach Steichen is hinting at promoting the first-year Colts quarterback to the lead position.
Richardson's inability to stay on the field in his short career has become a huge problem for himself and the Colts. With only 15 games played in the NFL under his belt, the Colts seem to be losing hope in the 23-year-old as we draw closer to the start of the 2025 season.