Insiders see clear favorite in Colts' QB competition between Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson

Free-agency signing Daniel Jones worked as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback during their mandatory minicamp last week as 2024 Week 1 starter Anthony Richardson dealt with discomfort in his throwing shoulder that popped up earlier this spring. 

For an article published on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated indicated that Jones entered Indianapolis' summer break holding a significant lead in what was supposed to be a hotly-contested competition for the club's QB1 gig.

"Daniel Jones has had a really nice spring, by all accounts, in picking up (head coach) Shane Steichen’s offense in Indy," Breer wrote. "Even if Anthony Richardson is cleared for the start of training camp, he may be chasing Jones for the Colts’ starting job."

Richardson recorded just 13 college starts before the Colts made him the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft, and he then appeared in just four regular-season games as a rookie before he needed shoulder surgery. Last season, Richardson missed time due to an oblique injury and severe back spasms. Steichen also benched Richardson for a pair of contests after the 23-year-old controversially removed himself from a game because he was "tired."

In total, Richardson started 15 games over the past two campaigns. 

While Jones went 3-13 over his final 16 starts with the New York Giants before he was released this past November, he does have a postseason win on his resume. On Monday, NFL Media's Judy Battista suggested she agrees with Breer regarding the Colts' quarterback plans for their Week 1 matchup versus the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7. 

"A shoulder injury is obviously not good for any quarterback at any time, but is it particularly problematic for Richardson, who badly needs the reps because he had limited experience as a starter in college and has missed so much time since being drafted," Battista shared. "The current setback clearly gives Jones a significant edge in a competition he had a good chance of winning anyway. But Richardson's absence, which underscores existing concerns about his durability, may have longer-term implications for his future."

Battista added that Steichen was noncommittal during minicamp "about whether Richardson would be ready for the start of training camp" later this summer. It sounds like Steichen and Co. wouldn't lose much sleep if the Colts can't clear Richardson to resume practicing until after they name Jones their Week 1 starter.