All eyes this summer, when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, will be on the quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
While the ultimate goal for the Colts is to find consistency at the quarterback position, regardless of whether it’s Richardson or Jones who can provide that, Ballard believes that the process of going through this competition will help elevate the level of play from both players.
“Competition brings out the best in everybody,” Ballard said on a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. “We’re so impatient nowadays, we have zero patience with players. If they’re not, especially the quarterback position, if they’re not a superstar right away, they’re a failure. Which I disagree with.”
The Colts want to give Richardson every opportunity to be successful, but after missing out on the playoffs each of the last four seasons, Ballard is also in a position where he needs results.
While not an apples-to-apples comparison, after Richardson was benched last season, upon his return to the starting lineup, we did see improved play from him, which included leading two game-winning drives in the fourth quarter.
The hope is that this summer’s quarterback battle can produce another jump for Richardson.
“They’ve got to work through their struggles, and they have to fail, and they have to get up, and have to get better from it,” Ballard said of the quarterback position. “I think we have two guys that are an example of that had moments of success but also had struggles. To watch both Anthony and Daniel compete against each other is going to be good for both of them. There’s nothing wrong with competition.”
Richardson and Jones will be splitting the starting quarterback reps this summer, and as Shane Steichen as said, he’s looking for consistency. Which quarterback can take care of the football and steadily move the offense up and down the field?
That player will end up winning the job, but as far as determining when that decision might be made, the Colts will give the competition as long as is needed for someone to emerge.
“I don’t have a timeline on it,” Ballard said. “When one of them steps forward and we think he’s the guy, then that’s the direction we’ll go.”