Indianapolis Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting Quarterback
The Indianapolis Colts have concluded their quarterback competition, officially naming veteran Daniel Jones the starter for the beginning of the season.
Head Coach Shane Steichen made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday, finalizing the team’s depth chart ahead of its Week 1 matchup.
Steichen Emphasizes Stability at Quarterback
In his announcement, Coach Steichen expressed strong confidence in the 28-year-old quarterback’s capabilities.
He underscored his philosophy of avoiding a “quick leash” on the starting position, signaling a commitment to providing Jones with a stable opportunity to lead the offense.
The decision positions Jones to be under center when the Colts open their season against the Miami Dolphins.
Veteran Experience Prevails in Preseason Competition
Jones secured the starting role after a thorough evaluation period that spanned training camp and two preseason games, where he competed directly with Anthony Richardson.
Throughout the preseason, Jones completed 17 of his 32 pass attempts for a total of 245 yards.
The quarterback, who signed a one-year deal with Indianapolis, brings significant NFL experience to the role. In a career that includes stops with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers, Jones has appeared in 69 games, holding a career record of 24-44-1.
Last season, he played in 10 contests, posting a 2-8 record while completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
His competitor, 23-year-old Anthony Richardson, saw limited action in the preseason, playing just six snaps in one game where he went 2-for-3 for 21 yards. In another appearance, he was 6 of 11 for 73 yards.
Over his first two NFL seasons, Richardson played in 15 total games, achieving an 8-7 record. He completed 50% of his passes for 2,391 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while also adding 635 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
The Colts are looking to improve on their 8-9 record from 2021, which saw them finish second in the AFC South.
