USA TODAY Sports

Colts Still Facing Major Question Mark After 2025 Offseason Moves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Blayne Gilmer | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 12:09 PM ET

As the Indianapolis Colts move into the heart of offseason preparations, one glaring uncertainty remains: who will emerge as the team's starting quarterback? Despite multiple additions and some intriguing depth, the most important position on the field still lacks clarity.

Anthony Richardson, the former No. 4 overall pick, remains the presumed favorite, at least on paper. However, his inability to stay healthy and his uneven play when on the field have raised concerns within the organization. Enter Daniel Jones, brought in during free agency as a potential insurance policy. While Jones isn’t seen as a long-term answer, his experience and previous playoff appearance give head coach Shane Steichen a fallback option if Richardson falters early.

The Colts QB battle has begun in Indy pic.twitter.com/iYCQRxVHpc
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 18, 2025

Adding another wrinkle to the mix is rookie Riley Leonard, who some analysts believe could become a surprise contender for snaps as early as this season. Despite being initially labeled a developmental prospect, Leonard's skill set fits well within Steichen’s offensive system, which emphasizes RPOs and short-to-intermediate throws, areas where Leonard is comfortable. His dual-threat capability and extensive college experience under offensive minds like David Cutcliffe and Mike Denbrock further bolster his case.

NFL analysts and platforms like PFF have even ranked Leonard among the more favorable rookie QB fits in the league. There's growing belief that if neither Richardson nor Jones can separate themselves during training camp, Leonard could be fast-tracked into a more prominent role.

The Colts are expected to hover around .500 in the standings, with FanDuel setting their win total at 7.5. In a wide-open AFC South, efficient quarterback play could be the difference between a playoff push and another disappointing campaign. Jones has the most experience, and that could shine through in a training camp battle for the starting position, possibly being reinvigorated by a fresh start in Indianapolis.

With high stakes and limited room for error, the quarterback competition in Indianapolis remains the franchise’s most pressing and impactful storyline heading into the 2025 season.

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

More must-reads: