A high-end quarterback is a necessity to compete in the modern NFL. Unfortunately, the Colts still have a major question mark at the QB position. Indianapolis General Manager Chris Ballard gambled on Anthony Richardson when he drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, and so far, that bet hasn’t worked out. Richardson has appeared in just 15 games over his first two pro seasons and, even when he’s on the field, he’s been inaccurate and inconsistent.
While Richardson is only 22 years old and has time to develop, the Colts can’t be too patient. Next spring, Ballard must decide whether or not to pick up Richardson’s fifth-year option. In other words, the team only has one more season to evaluate Richardson before potentially committing to him for another two years through 2027.
Given Richardson’s struggles and his looming extension deadline, Indianapolis couldn’t afford to put all their eggs in one basket. The team needed a second QB, and the ideal candidate should serve three purposes. At a minimum, he must be a serviceable backup for Richardson in 2025. However, he should also be capable of actually challenging Richardson for the starting job, and even have the potential of being a long-term option for the Colts. Enter Daniel Jones.
Daniel Jones is a premium backup
When you have an injury-prone QB like Richardson, his backup becomes more important than ever. The Colts were forced to rely on second-string QBs — Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco — for long stretches of the past two seasons. Since Flacco is no longer under contract, Indianapolis had to prioritize adding another quality QB in case Richardson misses more time.
Considering Jones provided fringe-QB1 production during his six seasons with the New York Giants, he is undoubtedly one of the best backup options in the league. Compared to his predecessors, Jones’ athleticism makes him a more natural fit in Shane Steichen’s offense. It also helps that he has a history of performing under challenging circumstances. If nothing else, Jones is at least a solid contingency plan for Richardson’s horrible health history.
Anthony Richardson needs real competition
There is no denying Richardon’s raw talent and sky-high ceiling. Unfortunately, although he’s flashed some of his potential, he has yet to prove that he can live up to it. One way to accelerate Richardson’s growth is by recruiting a serious challenger who can compete with him. After all, pressure makes diamonds, right?
On paper, Jones should be a worthy contender to rival Richardson. While far from perfect, the former Duke QB has dual-threat capabilities in addition to above-average accuracy and a strong work ethic. If his mere presence wasn’t enough, Jones’ $14 million price tag should be a wake-up call for Richardson and, hopefully, the push he needs to reach his full potential.
Colts need to figure out their future
Even though Indianapolis still believes Richardson could develop into a star, the team can’t ignore the real possibility that he’s not their franchise QB. If Jones ultimately wins the starting job, then the Colts will know — once and for all — that it's time to move on from the Richardson era. Under those circumstances, Jones gives Indianapolis a potential head start on their post-Richardson QB search.
Jones was one of the few QBs available this offseason who had some track record of NFL success and was also younger than 30. Just two years ago, he threw for 3,205 yards and completed 67% of his passes, while adding 700 yards on the ground and leading the Giants to their first playoff win in over a decade.
Sure, he’s had a couple of rough seasons since then, but Jones is only 28. He still has plenty of time to turn around his career and if he does, then he’s young enough to realistically lead the franchise for years to come. The same can’t be said for most of the other QBs on the market, including Aaron Rodgers (41 years old), Russell Wilson (36), Jacoby Brissett (32), and Jameis Winston (31).
There's no guarantee, but Jones could revive his career similar to Sam Darnold last season, who had a breakout campaign after wasting years in New York, surrounded by a subpar roster and organizational dysfunction — sound familiar? In that scenario, Jones may finally live up to the hype of the No. 6 overall pick. Of course, if Jones doesn’t find success in Indianapolis, it’ll only cost the Colts a one-year deal. No harm, no foul.