Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed plans for a quarterback competition between incumbent Anthony Richardson and new signing Daniel Jones.
Steichen said Monday the QBs will share first-team practice reps starting in the offseason.
“Who’s the most consistent, who’s the most productive will be the starter,” Steichen said at the NFL annual meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract as the hand-selected competitor to Richardson. Jones spent six years with the New York Giants and finished last season with the Minnesota Vikings.
New York benched Jones in November and then waived him at his request before he joined the Vikings’ practice squad.
In Indianapolis, the sixth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft will battle it out with the fourth overall selection of 2023, Richardson, who’s had two tumultuous years with the Colts.
Jones has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 70 career games (69 starts). He’s also racked up 2,179 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground.
“If you look at (Jones’) skillset, he can run the football with the zone read game, obviously can throw the football as well,” Steichen said. “Career completion percentage is 64 percent, which is pretty good, has had some production, won a playoff game, high football IQ — really high football IQ — which is really good.”
Richardson made 11 starts in 2024 and threw for 1,814 yards, eight TDs and 12 picks, adding 499 yards and six TDs rushing.
General manager Chris Ballard wouldn’t put a timeline on naming a starter and said he envisions a 50/50 split within a practice, rather than rotating who is the No. 1 quarterback in practice day by day.
“I think it’ll be pretty seamless,” Ballard said. “I think with any competition, you gotta spend the reps evenly and then everybody make a decision on who’s going to be the guy.”