Quarterback Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts
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Quarterback Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts’ announced they would be handing the keys to newcomer and disgraced former first round draft pick Daniel Jones over the team’s fourth overall selection three years ago, Anthony Richardson. NFL discourse centered around the controversial decision raising questions of loyalty, as well as labeling the choice “desperate”.
CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin criticizes the decision, calling Jones a “franchise-crippling mistake” during his time with the New York Giants.
“We can be honest about this: Richardson wasn’t good as Indy’s starter, and his inability to beat out Jones in the offseason competition is an indictment of his progress through two-plus years,” Dubin writes. “Still, this is an incredibly short-sighted decision with no real upside for the Colts organization.”
He, like many, believe this is a short sighted decision from the Indianapolis staff. The writer believes the league has already seen the best and “(mostly) worst” that the quarterback has to offer.
“What is the best-case scenario for the Colts here?” Dubin asks. “That Jones replicates what he did in New York and they make a run at a wild card spot, then get blasted in the opening round of the playoffs? What does that accomplish for anyone? Does it even save Steichen’s and GM Chris Ballard’s jobs? It probably shouldn’t.”
Daniel Jones Isn’t Exactly A ‘Safe’ Bet
The most offensive part about the decision, perhaps, is that Daniel Jones isn’t exactly Tom Brady. The staff had the chance to back their pick, show some loyalty, and demonstrate an unselfish commitment to the future of the team.
But they didn’t do that. They went with the “safer” option. An option that Dubin says isn’t safe at all.
“Jones is not a safe, reliable option under center,” Dubin continued. “If that were the case, it would be easier to spin this type of decision. But he’s a volatile player with no real ceiling potential to make up for the tremendous downside. He has 47 interceptions and an 8.5% sack rate in 70 career games, and he has just 70 touchdown passes on the other side of the ledger.”
He concluded his several page ripping of the Colts front office with a final prediction. The writer says both players share the same downsides, with Richardson representing the only candidate whose potential upside outweighs the negative.
“In the end, the most likely result here is that Jones does not succeed under center, and that the Colts at some point turn back to Richardson, who then doesn’t succeed under center either,” the writer broodingly predicts. “And then the Colts turn to new leadership in both the front office and at head coach. If that’s the case, it will be hard to say that it wasn’t deserved.”
“For their sake, it had better pay off with a playoff berth, at minimum. Otherwise, Richardson likely won’t be the only one who’s relieved of his duties,” Boyd concludes.