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Ever since Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that there would be an “open competition” at quarterback, there have been doubts about the authenticity of that claim.
Even after signing former Giants first-round pick Daniel Jones, it’s been easy to wonder if there really would be a competition, or if it’s all just lip service to appease a restless fanbase. I mean seriously, if Richardson loses an open competition against a player like Jones, what does that really say about the regime that picked him 4th-overall back in 2023? Surely, if Richardson is not the starter come Week 1, there would have to be serious conversations about the future of this franchise, starting with the general manager and including the head coach?
Well, despite the doubts and the potential implications, it seems the Colts are dead serious about having Richardson compete with Jones for the starting gig.
Shane Steichen plans to split first-team reps evenly between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
In the past, he's said what Richardson needs most are reps, but the competition's priority: “He’s going to have to take advantage of the reps that he gets.”https://t.co/iEnFgKtGpb
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 31, 2025
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From the NFL annual meeting here in Palm Beach:
Colts coach Shane Steichen says Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will split starting reps beginning in OTAs and the most consistent QB will be the regular season starter.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 31, 2025
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More than that, Ballard voiced support for Richardson even if he doesn’t win the competition.
#Colts GM Chris Ballard:
“Whatever the outcome (of this competition) is for Anthony (Richardson), does it mean it’s the end? No, it doesn’t. … It doesn’t mean we’re quitting on him, either. Everybody’s developmental timeline is a little different.” https://t.co/dTMBq3upu1
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) March 31, 2025
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Make no mistake; if Daniel Jones is the Colts starting quarterback in Week 1, Richardson is done here in Indianapolis. Maybe there is a team that can take him on as a reclamation project and eventually capitalize on his raw talents, but it would have to be a team other than the Colts. There’s no way he could, or should, survive another year if he can’t win the starting gig. The same goes for the general manager and the coach that picked him.
So, for Anthony Richardson, and by extension Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen, the gauntlet has been thrown down. Richardson must take the reins, win (and hold onto) the starting job, and establish himself as the franchise player the team needs him to be.
Otherwise, all three of them could be looking for employment elsewhere in 2026.
During the Monday edition of The Ride With JMV, Stephen Holder of ESPN joined the show, and he and JMV spoke about the Colts QB competition. Listen to that conversation and more down below, and tune into The Ride With JMV weekdays from 3-6pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan!