Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will be splitting the starting quarterback reps beginning at OTAs, and the most consistent player will be the Indianapolis Colts' regular-season starter, said head coach Shane Steichen on Monday, via ESPN's Stephen Holder.
The annual NFL league meeting is underway in Palm Beach, Florida, and Steichen met with the media on Monday morning, where, for the first time since the Colts signed Jones, he was asked about the upcoming quarterback competition.
After the regular season, GM Chris Ballard made it known that he wanted to bring in competition at that position. Then, at the NFL combine, Ballard said it would be an open competition for that starting spot.
Well, it doesn't get much more open than having the two quarterbacks splitting reps.
Having not made the playoffs since the 2020 season, the Colts have to win now, and the time that they wanted to afford Richardson to grow and develop is no longer an element that's in play. Instead, it's all about results.
From the NFL annual meeting here in Palm Beach:
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 31, 2025
Colts coach Shane Steichen says Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will split starting reps beginning in OTAs and the most consistent QB will be the regular season starter.
Steichen mentioned back at the NFL combine that the big thing he wanted to see from Richardson was consistency, after he completed just 47% of his passes last season. Steichen also mentioned that he believes the competition can help elevate Richardson's play.
Last season, after Richardson was benched in the middle of the season, he did respond well to that challenge, and his play did improve once he returned to the starting lineup--and not only numbers-wise, but process-wise as well.
The Colts are hoping another jump with Jones pushing Richardson can take place. In the long run, while the Colts have to win now, and that will dictate who is starting, it's in the best interest of the team that Richardson wins the job because of the massive upside he still possesses.
Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal early on in free agency. After being released by the Giants roughly halfway through last season, he signed with the Vikings' practice squad. Jones has 69 career NFL starts and last season, struggled to take care of the ball and generate big plays in the passing game.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones will split starting reps in OTAs
