If Indianapolis Colts fans were hoping to leave their team's first preseason game with a better idea of who would back up Daniel Jones, they were abundantly disappointed. Jones, of course, was never going to play against the New England Patriots; he may not play in the preseason at all, which opens the door for Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson.
Suffice it to say that neither backup enjoyed a win, and that has nothing to do with the game either, in which the Colts tied with the Patriots, 13-13. For Richardson, it was a loss because he was unconvincing as a quarterback trying to win a main backup job. While his interception wasn't all on him, the rest of his performance was nothing to glow about.
As for Leonard, well, this was his first opportunity outside of training camp to stomp out Richardson's competition for Jones's backup. Like Richardson, Leonard didn't blow anyone away. In fact, his night was possibly duller than Richardson's. That being said, Leonard isn't out just yet. In fact, you could argue he's in the driver's seat, only because of what Richardson likely won't do.
Riley Leonard could win the Indianapolis Colts' QB backup job if only for Anthony Richardson's losing of it
Is it a foregone conclusion that Leonard won't have any good quarterback play during the preseason? No, at least that's the hope. It may be that in the Colts' first game, Leonard felt the pressure and it got to him. If he let it get to him a second time, that's a different story.
Leonard looked unprepared against the Patriots and uncomfortable in the second half, while Richardson got the call to start the game. The only positive part of Leonard's game came late in the fourth quarter, on two drives toward the end of the game.
Multiple short completions to Raylen Sharpe and an 11-yard run of his own made for an okay way to close the game out, including two second-half field goals.
Most of everything before, however, went a lot differently. Leonard finished the game going 10-for-21, passing for just 89 passing yards, one interception, and one fumble. Coincidentally, Richardson also threw an interception and fumbled. To begin the second half, Leonard was unable to conjure up any rhythm, going three-and-out on his first two possessions.
Granted, Leonard faced constant pressure from the Patriots' defense, which didn't help, but he couldn't work his way around it. Simply put, Leonard's first attempt to win the Colts backup job failed. That said, Richardson didn't do nearly enough to leapfrog Leonard either.
At the end of the day, Leonard might actually still be in a better position than Richardson. Leonard doesn't have to be great (he can and should be better, though) to win the job. He does have to be a little bit better than Richardson, though, and by the looks of it, the former first-round rookie doesn't look like he's ready to be the better quarterback. Which means Leonard could get lucky.
The former sixth-round pick can still come out of this offseason with a major win. What Richardson does, or doesn't do, with his opportunity will have an impact. All Leonard needs to do is focus on himself and let his play do the talking. If Richardson offers him indirect support, all Leonard can do is accept it.
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