Anthony Richardson Reacts to Colts Naming Daniel Jones as Starting QB in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 3:35 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts have been in the headlines all offseason due to their intriguing battle for the starting quarterback job. They brought in Daniel Jones this offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson for the job and for the majority of training camp, neither player could gain a clear advantage over the other.

It was imperative that whoever head coach Shane Steichen chose was the right guy because the Colts have been aimlessly searching for a quarterback since Andrew Luck’s abrupt retirement back in 2019. Indianapolis is home to many fans who wanted Richardson to win the job, claiming that Jones has a defined ceiling, but they won’t be getting their wish.

Daniel Jones Named Colts Starting QB

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier today that Jones will get the nod as the team’s starter and Steichen came out almost instantly to dispel any rumors about Jones potentially losing the job this year.

Of course, an unfortunate injury or a string of bad play could easily change Steichen’s mind, but barring those hypotheticals, Richardson will be riding the pine for the foreseeable future.

Still just 23-years-old, the young signal caller was asked about the team’s decision and he showed a surprising amount of maturity, telling reporters, “Gotta respect it honestly.”

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Aftermath of Indianapolis’ Decision

The Colts have claimed that if Richardson lost the job that he wouldn’t necessarily be done in Indianapolis, but the history just isn’t on his side.

Being benched by a team once is detrimental enough, but throughout NFL history, it’s impossible to find a single example of a player being benched three times within one year and still being that team’s franchise quarterback.

The decision to start Jones is a clear admission by the Colts that the Richardson pick was a failure, but truth be told it’s not all his fault. The former Florida star has had no luck with injuries in his pro career, which has only exacerbated his rushed development as the Colts drafted him with full knowledge that he was a project.

Now that he hasn’t progressed rapidly enough for their liking and can’t seem to remain on the field, the team is going a different direction at quarterback. Still one of the youngest quarterbacks in the NFL, Richardson still has ample time to rebound from this low point and become a successful quarterback in the league.

Unfortunately, it just probably won’t be happening in Indianapolis.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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