The Colts signed QB Daniel Jones in free agency to compete with QB Anthony Richardson for the starting job in 2025.
Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Jones appears to have “already taken a significant lead” in the starting competition, aided by Richardson missing mandatory minicamp with soreness in his throwing shoulder.
Although the race was supposed to be wide open, Boyd believes Richardson’s injury “further positions” Jones to win the starting job.
Indianapolis HC Shane Steichen said Richardson has no timetable for a return from his injury, but the quarterback said recently he anticipates being ready for the start of camp.
Jones, 27, was selected by the Giants with the No. 6 overall pick out of Duke in the 2019 NFL Draft. He finished the final year of his four-year, $25,664,056 rookie contract that included a $16,684,768 signing bonus.
The Giants declined Jones’ fifth-year option entering the 2022 season. After playing out his deal, he signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the team in 2023.
Jones was granted his release by the Giants after being benched and was later signed to the Vikings’ practice squad.
In 2024, Jones appeared in 10 games for the Giants and completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 67 rush attempts for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
Richardson, 23, declared for the draft following his redshirt sophomore season in 2022 and his first as a full-time starter at Florida. The Colts selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He signed a four-year, $36,874,031 contract with a $23,817,477 signing bonus and will carry a $6,704,369 cap figure for the 2023 season. The Colts will also have a fifth-year option to decide on in 2026.
Richardson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery to repair his AC joint after going down in Week 5 of his rookie year.
In 2024, Richardson appeared in 11 games and completed 47.7 percent of his passes for 1,814 passing yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed 86 times for 499 yards and six touchdowns.
We’ll have more on the Colts’ quarterback competition as the news is available.
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