As the Indianapolis Colts push through training camp ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the biggest question still hanging over the team is who will start at quarterback in Week 1. The battle is between Anthony Richardson, the former first-rounder who has shown flashes but struggled with consistency, and Daniel Jones, whose time with the New York Giants ended abruptly last season.
Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen has not yet revealed who will start between Jones and Richardson when the Colts face the Ravens. “One will play a good amount this game and the other will play a good amount next game,” said the Colts head coach.
Anthony Richardson spoke with confidence about his mindset in the quarterback battle. “Even if they brought Tom Brady in here, he’s the greatest, but I’d just have to work to beat him out. It’s a me-vs-me type of thing,” he told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on X, formerly Twitter.
Anthony Richardson on QB battle:
‘Even if they brought Tom Brady in here, he’s the greatest, but I’d just have to work to beat him out. It’s a me-vs-me type of thing’ https://t.co/CjwfJnQ6qW pic.twitter.com/qWm6EEjL3J
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 4, 2025
Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, who will be Colts’ QB1?
Richardson has always carried himself with confidence since arriving in Indianapolis as a 2023 first-round pick out of Florida. However, his inconsistency as a passer and questionable decisions have frequently stalled the Colts’ offense.
Selected No. 4 overall, he started 15 games over his first two seasons, though injuries cut both short. In October of his rookie year, just four games in, he was sidelined with an AC joint sprain that ultimately required surgery.
Last year, Richardson sat out two games due to an oblique strain and ultimately lost the starting role to Joe Flacco after posting a 44.4% completion rate over his first six contests. He later returned to action and closed out his second NFL season with a 47.7% completion rate, throwing for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also contributed 499 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Daniel Jones had his share of highlights with the New York Giants, including a strong playoff push in 2022. However, his time with the team unraveled soon after, ending with his release late last season before he landed with the Colts.
Due to Richardson’s injury issues and on-field struggles, the Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract to push for the starting role. Jones started 69 games over six seasons with the New York Giants before finishing 2024 as the Vikings’ backup. Over his career, he has thrown for 14,582 yards and 70 touchdowns.
