Training camp was already going to be interesting for Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard. With Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen letting fans know that Daniel Jones will be a full participant, though, the most interesting position battle in camp will be who will back up Jones.
If Jones had a career of staying available for games, the situation might not be so noteworthy. QB2s hopefully never are forced into action, of course. But Jones has been hurt a bunch and has had three seasons end early because of various injuries. Just like in 2025, Indy might need another quarterback to get valuable reps for a stretch of games.
Jones was limited in organized team activities and minicamp, participating only in 7-on-7 drills. With the reps he didn't get, Richardson and Leonard split them. Indianapolis shouldn't go into the regular season without one of them being named QB2. Not naming a backup would imply Indy lacks strong leadership not afraid to make key decisions.
Indianapolis Colts' most important training camp battle could be who emerges as QB2
Obviously, there will be lots of position battles in Colts camp. At inside linebacker, for instance, one can assume that rookie CJ Allen will start, but his partner is unclear. Who steps up to be WR3 is also unknown. But Indianapolis has to be prepared for the potential of a Daniel Jones-less offense, and he and his backups play the most important position in sports.
Richardson was taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has been a bust so far. He was given chances to be the long-term starter in his first two years, but obviously wasn't ready to be a QB1 in the NFL coming out of Florida.
He has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (11) through three seasons, hasn't been accurate, doesn't seem to understand the alignments of his blockers, misses hot reads under pressure, and has been injured a lot. He's also requested a trade, understanding he won't start for the team, and has just one year left on his rookie deal. Indy declined his fifth-year option.
Leonard wasn't trusted to take over as the starter after Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Week 14. Instead, the team signed Philip Rivers, who had been retired for five years. After the Indianapolis Colts no longer had a chance to make the playoffs, Leonard started in Week 18 against the Houston Texans and was solid.
The quarterback also has three years left on his deal, which might be enough for him to become QB2. He is going to be with the Colts longer than Richardson, and he played as well as Richardson ever had in his one start.
Hopefully, Daniel Jones' backup in 2026 only enters the game when Indianapolis is blowing out another team, and QB2 gets garbage-time reps. Jones missing a game or four because of injury has proven to be a possibility, too, though. If that happens, Riley Leonard or Anthony Richardson would have to replace him, and which one is QB2 could be the difference in making the postseason and not.
Add us as a preferred source on Google