Daniel Jones elected to depart the Vikings in free agency by taking a deal with the Colts. The former Giants first-rounder did so because he felt the move gave him a better chance at operating as a starter. 
Jones will collect a base value of $14MM on his one-year Indianapolis contract, a sign of his opportunity to handle QB1 duties. If that is to take place, he will need to outperform incumbent Anthony Richardson. The latter has not developed as hoped during his two seasons in the NFL, creating the need for veteran competition. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Monday the evaluation of both Jones and Richardson will begin during upcoming offseason workouts.
“It’ll start in the spring,” Steichen said of the competition (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star). “They’re going to split the [first-team] reps through practice and going into training camp, and really, it’s going to come down to who’s the most consistent, who’s the most productive, will be the starter.”
Selected fourth overall in 2023, Richardson faced questions upon arrival in the NFL based on his lack of starts in college and issues related injuries and accuracy. He won the starting position right away as a rookie, but a shoulder injury limited him to only four contests. The 22-year-old made 11 starts last season, one in which he found himself benched in favor of Joe Flacco at one point.
Steichen added the decision to bring in a veteran capable of earning the starting gig was made immediately after the season ended. Consistency will be a requirement in Richardson’s case if he is to operate atop the depth chart in 2025 and beyond. The Florida product completed only 47.7% of his pass attempts last season, and matching improved accuracy with his high rushing upside, will be necessary this offseason.
Jones’ Giants tenure ended when he was waived midway through the 2024 campaign. He did not see any game action with the Vikings, but he will have the opportunity to change that situation with the Colts starting in the near future.