Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Anthony Richardson showed growth in an area that has caused him issues in the NFL in a recent Colts training camp practice

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 7:19 AM ET

The Indianapolis Colts don't want to admit it, but this feels like a make-or-break year for QB Anthony Richardson. The team decided to sign veteran Daniel Jones during free agency, and they gave him a pretty penny. The two are in an ongoing battle to be the team's starting QB come Week 1 , when they host the Miami Dolphins.

The first week of training camp was rough for the offense, which is pretty normal throughout the league. Through the first two days, no quarterback really separated himself from the other. However on Friday, that was not the case. Richardson had his best practice of the year and turned some heads with some signs of growth in an area he has struggled mightily to start his NFL career.

Here’s our daily Colts training camp update (same link updates daily).

No real leader in the QB battle yet, but I thought it was notable today that the results of Anthony Richardson’s offseason work were evident. More accurate on short/intermediate.https://t.co/7LVE1jlUre
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 25, 2025

There does not appear to be a clear leader so far in the Colts' quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones, with both players experiencing ups and downs through three days of practice.

Big plays have been few and far between, but the completion percentages on Friday did improve. Richardson completed 8-of-11 attempts while Jones connected on 7-of-10. This was notable, in particular, for Richardson, who has been wildly unpredictable on short and intermediate throws in his two seasons. Friday might have been his best day on such attempts, coming on an offseason where he made them a priority.

- ESPN’s Stephen Holder

Richardson's first two years in the league have been an up and down roller coaster. He has made some out of this world type plays, but has struggled to make throws that most backups in the league can do at a high level. So, hearing Holder say his ability to make the layups caught his attention on Friday, it seems pretty significant.

Friday was the first day of training camp that either Colts QB was able to stand out with Richardson winning the day. If he doesn’t build off this success, it won't matter much, but if he can use it to start some real momentum, he could pull away in this QB battle quicker than some realize.

Ultimately, it doesn't take much to realize that Richardson stepping up to the occasion and winning the job is in everyone's best interest (besides Jones, of course). I seem to think I like Jones more than most, but I don't see a way the team leaves the 2025 season truly believing he is their long term answer at the position. If Richardson doesn't convince the Colts he is the guy, they will most likely be back looking for an option in the upcoming draft. And if we are being honest, it probably wouldn't be Ballard making that pick.