Clear Favorite Emerges in Colts Starting QB Competition

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 8:50 PM ET

For months, there was endless speculation about who would be named the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. They brought in former New York Giants draft pick, Daniel Jones, to compete with Anthony Richardson for the job, and now training camp is finally here.

The Colts reported to camp last week and there was little clarity on the quarterback situation over the first few days. That has all changed after about a week of practice, and while there is still a long way to go, one of the men has finally emerged as the clear favorite to start week one.

There hasn’t been any official word from the team, but reporters in the building say that Anthony Richardson has clearly been the better player so far and appears to be on track to win the job.

The #Colts QB competition seems to get clearer and clearer every practice.

Anthony Richardson continues to stack great and accurate days at practice while showing up early to get extra mental reps in.

Feeling more and more likely he's starting Week 1 pic.twitter.com/gaNmY6enhF
— (@LukeVerkamp) July 29, 2025

His accuracy in the short and intermediate areas of the field were Richardson’s biggest concerns for the offseason, but they have been strengths so far in camp. The word is that the Florida product is developing a nice synergy with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie tight end Tyler Warren.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard repeatedly expressed their belief in Richardson during the offseason, and that belief has been paying off so far. They’re on record saying they hoped the competition would light a fire under the third-year quarterback and that seems to be exactly what’s happened.

Richardson even comes off as more confident in interviews, saying recently, “This organization believed in me enough to draft me … top-five pick. So, I don’t think there’s any more pressure. It’s just me working hard and proving them right and letting them know that they chose the right guy.”

Pressure either bursts pipes, or makes diamonds, and while it’s still too early to say for sure, Richardson has been shining bright as of late.

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

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