It seemed like the Indianapolis Colts had found their quarterback when they took Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. But like a relationship that went sour, they are seemingly done with him. While their starter will be Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard is another interesting athlete.
So are the Colts favoring Leonard over Richardson?
Why Riley Leonard is the Favorite Over Anthony Richardson
Success with Notre Dame
Riley Leonard was selected in the sixth round in 2025 from Notre Dame and even with the injury to Jones and retirement of veteran Phillip Rivers, the young player still waited for his chance. It was worth it.
Leonard was a massive success during his tenure with the university. He would put up career numbers and proved to be a great dual-threat quarterback. He completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,681 yards and 21 touchdowns. Leonard also took care of the football, throwing only eight interceptions.
While it was a weapon using his legs. Leonard would rush for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns. He would lead the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 record and a spot in the college postseason final. While his style of play was mobile, it was at a controlled pace. This contrasted with the play of Anthony Richardson Sr.
Contrasting Playing Style
NFL scouts have noticed his ability to execute in a structured offense. He has been known to be highly efficient when the pocket is clean. He has a cannon for an arm, despite struggling with the deep ball. But his ‘fastballs’ have often found the mark.
In 2025 against the Houston Texans, Leonard had a great game. He was able to show the media and the coaching staff that he could play with poise. In the contest, he threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns against the vaulted Texans’ defense.
Financially Safe
Ironically, Riley Leonard is cheaper than Richardson. He would be backing up Jones at a fraction of the cost than the four year veteran. The Colts gave their unhappy passer the opportunity to seek a trade and no team has reached out for him.
Colts manager Chris Ballard has praised Richardson for the talent he has, but in the back of fans and journalists’ mind, the Colts may have less trust in him. Leonard currently is the backup and the former Florida Gator is at the third spot.
Reflection
The Colts are not saying that Leonard is better than Richardson. But they are saying that he is far more reliable. He seems to fit what the team is looking for at the moment. This could be a red-flag for Richardson as he has still not been given the opportunity he hoped for.
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