The Indianapolis Colts have officially brought an end to the quarterback competition between 2023 No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson and former New York Giants bust Daniel Jones, with head coach Shane Steichen declaring Jones as the main man for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.
Many Colts fans find themselves in a state of pure confusion after the Richardson benching. Despite knowing that he was a raw project when they drafted him, Indy only seems willing to give him 15 starts before declaring that he is no longer the team’s franchise quarterback.
Fans are pessimistic about Jones’ potential and the overall performance of GM Chris Ballard. If the Colts were so pessimistic about Richardson's chances to improve as a quarterback, why did they only bring in a bridge quarterback like Jones instead of going for broke?
The Colts have every possible chance to sign former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold after throwing for 35 touchdowns on a 14-win Minnesota team in free agency. Instead, Darnold joined the Seattle Seahawks, all while the Colts are stuck with one of the least desirable situations in the NFL.
Colts should have signed Sam Darnold instead of Daniel Jones
Jones has been a below-average quarterback throughout the entirety of his Giants tenure, though the last two seasons have been particularly poor. Jones went almost a full calendar year without throwing a touchdown pass in a home game, and he does not have a strong enough arm to make consistent tight-window throws in the pros.
The only way Steichen can try to justify not playing Richardson, who only has 15 starts in the pros and is 23 years old, and starting Jones is by believing that No. 17 can take the Colts to the postseason. Based on his Giants tenure, that seems like a completely illogical way to go about things.
A coaching staff that is clearly on the hot seat might have bought some extra time if they had committed to Darnold with a multi-year contract. Even if he doesn't dominate in Seattle, the Seahawks are poised to compete for a playoff spot while the Colts are bailing water.
Ballard's tenure seems to be going down the tubes. The Richardson pick is looking like a bust. Rather than either ripping the Band-Aid off with a Darnold signing or letting Richardson prove it on the field, Ballard went for a middle ground that pleases no one and will have adverse effects for the Colts.