Anthony Richardson's Status as Colts QB1 Eyed by NFL Fans After Daniel Jones Contract

The Indianapolis Colts may have made a major statement Tuesday regarding their feelings on quarterback Anthony Richardson.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Colts agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with quarterback Daniel Jones in free agency. Pelissero reported the Colts are "preparing for an open quarterback competition" between Richardson and Jones.

The open competition combined with Richardson's struggles thus far during his young NFL career led many on social media to speculate on Richardson's status going forward:

After the Colts made Richardson the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft despite limited production collegiately at Florida, he started 15 games over his first two NFL seasons, going 8-7.

An injury cut Richardson's rookie season short after four games, but he went on to start 11 games last season.

The results were far from ideal, as Richardson completed only 47.7 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 499 yards and six scores.

Jones was released by the New York Giants midway through his sixth season with the team in 2024. He finished out the 2024 season in Minnesota after joining the Vikings' practice squad on a one-year, $375,000 deal, then hit free agency in March.

Jones' split from New York followed his demotion to QB3 after leading the Giants to a 2-8 start to the 2024 campaign.

Since agreeing to a four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants ahead of the 2023 season, Jones led his team to three wins in 16 games while throwing 13 total interceptions to 10 total touchdowns.

When the Giants decided to turn to Tommy DeVito under center instead, Jones requested his release.

Despite a 14-3 regular-season record, the Vikings didn't record a playoff win this winter, as the Los Angeles Rams ousted them from the NFC Wild Card Round.

With J.J. McCarthy looking to get his first start after missing his rookie season with a knee injury, the Vikings apparently decided they had enough quarterback depth to move on from Jones.

Jones, who was selected by the Giants with the No. 6 pick of the 2019 NFL draft, led the Giants to a winning season and a playoff victory in 2022.

Although he has been unable to reach that level of success since, the Colts will hope he can help provide competition in a quarterback room currently staffed by Richardson.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard previously said he wanted to add "real competition" with Richardson for the QB1 spot.

"I think that's good for the team, and I think it's good for Anthony," Ballard said in February about quarterback competition, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm.

The Colts initially intended for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to provide that competition last season, but Flacco's struggles after Richardson's midseason benching contributed to the team's decision to finish out the season behind Richardson.

Indianapolis will now hope Jones will serve as a bigger threat for the starting job as they look for Richardson to take a significant step forward in his third NFL season.