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Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty
**INDIANAPOLIS** **–** While there are questions about the level of play Daniel Jones will bring to the Colts, he is not going to misstep any questions about his career and this new opportunity in Indianapolis.
Granted, Jones’ career arc to this point probably would stymie any outward confidence one might carry.
The stoic Jones met the Colts media last week for the first time and shared what he had heard from the organization in pitching their situation to the former top-10 pick.
“An opportunity to come in and compete,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to that.
“I’ve had a lot of fun (watching) and a lot of respect for Anthony (Richardson). Watching him, I think he’s certainly a talented young player, and I think the competition aspect of it brings out the best in everybody.”
How exactly that competition plays out will be fascinating to watch.
For one, both players need an immense amount of work when it comes to improving their individual levels of quarterback play.
And also, if either player is able to turn around the trajectory on their careers, it will be a bit unprecedented.
For Richardson, you rarely find an NFL player complete 50 percent of his passes through 2 seasons (not to mention the turnover issues, the availability problems and the benching for not living up to the quarterback standard) and then find stable throwing ground at a later date.
For Jones, **[a 70-start sample size is quite a big one](https://1075thefan.com/529697/daniel-jones-joins-anthony/)**. And such below average play in that span is typically an indicator that a flip is unlikely. You don’t find many examples of a player with more than 4 years of that play changing drastically, for the better.
But the Colts are hoping one of these longshots will hit in 2025.
Jones inked a one-year deal with the Colts, reportedly worth $14 million, a notable number for a player without a locked-in starting job.
No matter what happens though with Richardson, his injury history means Jones could very well be needed for a handful of games, even if the newcomer doesn’t supplant the incumbent.
As Jones looks back on his first free agency, the 28-year-old recapped why he joined the Colts.
“A number of things,” Jones says. “You look at the team and you look at the success they’ve had. I think offensively (they’re) doing a lot of really good things. Coaching staff wise, I’ve always had a lot of respect for coach (Shane) Steichen. He’s been successful in a number of places as an offensive coach, and I think he’s built a really good staff. Alex Tanney is pass game coordinator, a guy I played with for a couple years early in my career and I’ve been close with. I think there’s a lot of really good things here.”
Of course, Jones also knows there’s a reason he/his former team was the butt of a joke from Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin last fall.
As the Giants continue to search for an answer at quarterback, they released their former franchise quarterback mid-way through last season.
Questions about the NFL future for Richardson and Jones are very much up in the air as they enter this off-season battle.
“I’m excited to be here,” Jones says of his 3rd NFL stop. “I think just being here, meeting the coaches, meeting the staff, meeting everybody, it’s been really, really impressed with everyone here.”
Will that feeling be mutual as the ’25 campaign plays out?