Colts HC Shane Steichen said Monday that QBs Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will split first-team reps this spring. That confirms that this is a truly open competition for the starting job -- rather than Richardson having a head start as the incumbent. The Colts have made it clear since the end of the last season that Richardson would need to earn the 2025 starting job after a disappointing 2024 campaign. The team's OTAs begin on April 21.
Colts HC Shane Steichen on the QB competition: “It’ll start in the spring. They’re gonna split the (starting) reps through spring practice and going into training camp. Really, it’s gonna come down to who’s the most consistent and who’s the most productive."
Richardson will need to be significantly better than he was last year to win this competition. He completed just 47.7% of his passes in 2024, becoming just the third QB since 2000 with a sub-50% completion rate on 250+ attempts (joining Tim Tebow and Akili Smith). Richardson ranked dead last among 34 qualifying QBs last year in:
Jones is no stud, of course. But he owns a career 64.1% completion rate. And he can run -- although not near Richardson's level.
The winner of this competition will be on the fantasy radar thanks to the rushing production. Richardson still boasts easy top-10 fantasy upside, while Jones would be more of a QB2.
Early best-ball drafters can take upside swings at Richardson as part of three-QB builds. Jones is only worth targeting in Superflex drafts.
All of Indianapolis' skill-position players would get fantasy boosts if Jones wins the job. He's the superior passer, particularly in the short and intermediate ranges where WRs Michael Pittman and Josh Downs operate.
RB Jonathan Taylor was also more productive without Richardson than with him last year. In fact, Taylor led all RBs in both expected and actual PPR points per game in five games with QB Joe Flacco.
RB Ashton Jeanty will go high in your rookie draft. But who should you target later in the first round and beyond? Check out our 2025 Dynasty Rookie Rankings to find out.
Read More »Shedeur Sanders headlines the 2025 rookie QB class, but some sleepers are lying in wait. See how the QBs stack up in these 2025 Superflex Rookie Rankings.
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