Riley Leonard was great in Week 18 against the Houston Texans for the Indianapolis Colts. This is relative, of course. Leonard was a rookie making his first start in the NFL and doing so against a very good defense. His offense put up 30 points, 17 in the first half against the Houston starters.
Did Riley Leonard seem to prove he belongs on an NFL roster somewhere? Absolutely. Did he prove to Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard that he should have a chance to move up the depth chart? Seemingly not.
Ballard said so in his season-end press conference while addressing the team's future quarterback situation. 2025 starter Daniel Jones is a free agent and will be coming off the third season-ending injury of his career. His long-term health should certainly be in question, and his consistency in being available should be too.
Indianapolis Colts still don't seem to completely believe in Riley Leonard
Anthony Richardson has not been good when given a chance to be a starter, and cannot stay healthy even when he doesn't. His 2025 injury, where he broke an orbital bone after a stretch band broke, was definitely freaking, but also one in a long line of Richardson's injuries.
Yet, Chris Ballard is not ready to move forward with Riley Leonard as QB2 (assuming the team re-signs Jones in free agency) even though Leonard went 21 of 34 passing for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, against an elite Texans defense. He was even better in the first half than his overall numbers against the starters.
"I'm very encouraged by Riley," Ballard said. "...First half against Houston, they were playing with their dudes, and he led us to 17 points in that game. I do think there's something that that is something we will evaluate. We gotta make the decision, okay, if Anthony doesn't get to where we think he can be, can Riley be the (QB2)? I think it's a position that every year we got to address in some fashion or form."
One might rightfully ask what else Chris Ballard needs to see, not just with Riley Leonard but with Anthony Richardson. Leonard might not be ready to take over QB1 duties, but he definitely looked worthy of being given a chance based on his play against the Texans. Richardson has never looked like a long-term starter.
If nothing else, Leonard should jump to QB2 even if Richardson is healthy enough to return, assuming his vision is clear. Leonard can run well, like Richardson, and seems even more accurate. Ultimately, if the Indianapolis Colts are happy having Riley Leonard around as a QB1 or QB2, some other team likely will.