Colts pass game struggles at training camp kickoff

“It’s exciting because I know this city loves and supports me,” Richardson told reporters. “I’ve just got to do my part. Make sure that I can do everything in my power to be the quarterback they want me to be and they need me to be. It definitely feels good, but I can’t let it get to my head.”

Thousands of football fans assembled in the Grand Park grandstands in Westfield to watch the first of 13 Indianapolis Colts training camp practices ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

The defensive stampede got the best of the Colts offense during Wednesday’s morning practice. It’s no secret the Colts struggled to sustain drives in 2024 and the offense looked off beat as there were still many drops by receivers and mistimed throws by both quarterbacks. The most intriguing position battle in Indianapolis over the next three weeks is the open competition to decide who will emerge as the Colts Week 1 starting QB. Peers will become competitors when one of 32 starting jobs are on the line and up for grabs.

Fans had very different reactions when Daniel Jones took the first-team reps during the initial team period compared to when Anthony Richardson stepped in relief. Jones completed just one pass with the starters, but his best throw was with the second-team offense as he hit receiver Anthony Gould in stride up the sideline for an explosive play.

It did not take long for the revamped defense to make some noise as veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II jumped a late throw in the flat from Jones to make a one-handed interception on the sideline while facing the Colts fanbase. This kind of bad decision to force an errant throw is one Jones later admitted he “can’t afford to do.” To win the starting job, Jones knows he must take his game to another level.

“Showing consistency in my preparation, consistency on the field and my performance,” Jones said. It’s a long process and focusing on what I’m doing day-to-day I think is the best way to go about it.”

Indy’s fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft commanded the second-team offense with his arsenal of receivers Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould. Mitchell got excellent separation from his defender on a comeback route, but was not on the same page with Richardson, whose first throw landed far behind Mitchell’s reach. Richardson attempted 11 throws through three separate team periods, but completed just four passes.

Anytime Richardson stepped in to take reps, the Grand Park crowd showed support for their franchise QB with the same ovation a Major League slugger receives in his return to the lineup. Most importantly, Richardson felt the welcoming reception.

“It’s exciting because I know this city loves and supports me,” Richardson told reporters. “I’ve just got to do my part. Make sure that I can do everything in my power to be the quarterback they want me to be and they need me to be. It definitely feels good, but I can’t let it get to my head.”

Richardson took over the reins with the first unit in the second 11-on-11 team period. His best throw of the day came on the final rep, running play action to find receiver Michael Pittman Jr. across the middle of the field. It was tough watching Richardson struggle during the 7-on-7 period and getting picked off by 2023 undrafted free agent linebacker Austin Ajiake, but there were at least three catchable passes that were dropped by receivers.

The 23-year-old QB faces a potential demotion entering his third NFL season. There is no confirmed timetable for when Shane Steichen will name his starter and neither QB seemed to gain much leverage on Wednesday. It’s safe to say both QBs, along with the receivers, still have to knock off the rust from the offseason.