Colts Name Daniel Jones the Starting QB Over Anthony Richardson: Experience Wins, Upside Waits

The Indianapolis Colts have officially named Daniel Jones their Week 1 starting quarterback, a decision that sent ripples across NFL circles and sparked plenty of debate among fans. Head coach Shane Steichen made it clear: consistency, trust, and execution won out over raw athletic upside.

But how did we get here? And what does it mean for both Jones and Anthony Richardson going forward? Let’s break it down.

Why Jones Got the Nod

Experience Matters

Jones has 70 NFL games (69 starts), a playoff win, and nearly 15,000 career passing yards under his belt. That résumé was tough to ignore for a Colts staff seeking stability.

“He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that,”— Colts HC Shane Steichen

That statement speaks volumes. This wasn’t just a one-week audition. Indy is committing, at least early on, to the veteran.

Preseason Performance

In limited preseason action, Jones looked comfortable: 17-of-32 for 245 yards, no touchdowns, but importantly—no interceptions. He was only sacked once on 34 dropbacks.

Meanwhile, Richardson’s preseason snaps were derailed by a dislocated pinky. Six snaps compared to Jones’ 46? That made the decision almost inevitable.

The Contract

Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason—nearly all guaranteed. You don’t hand out that kind of money to sit a guy on the bench.

Remembering Daniel Jones as a Giant

Jones’ time with the Giants was a rollercoaster. From his electric 2019 debut to injuries that derailed momentum, he was often an enigma.

His 2022 playoff win against the Vikings—301 yards, two touchdowns—remains the high-water mark. But so does the infamous blooper:

• Breaking into the open field with nothing but green grass ahead…

• Sprinting toward the end zone…

• And then—tripping over his own feet.

The man outran an entire defense but got tackled by gravity. It’s the kind of clip that lives forever on NFL blooper reels.

Still, that moment summed up Jones: capable of brilliance, sometimes undone by miscues.

Player Reactions

Daniel Jones:

“My mindset was just to try to be as consistent as I could. Every day, make progress and grow in my understanding of the offense and what coach wants.”

Anthony Richardson:

“You have to respect the decision.”

Richardson’s response was mature, but you can tell the competitor in him is itching for another shot.

Fan Reactions

Colts fans and the broader NFL community had plenty to say:

• “Anthony Richardson should have to go back to college for getting beat out by Daniel Jones.” — @Jordan_S09

• “The Anthony Richardson experiment in Indy is really over.” — @xVerlix_

• “Anthony Richardson I fear it’s Joever.” — @runningontatum

On Giants forums, the skepticism was more about the coaching staff than the QBs themselves:

“If Jones sucks, he can't go back to Richardson because he's already made the 'safe' move and alienated the young QB.”

It’s clear that while some see the move as pragmatic, others view it as a long-term gamble on mediocrity.

Upside Showdown: Jones vs. Richardson

Daniel Jones: The Safer Floor

• Veteran knowledge of defenses

• Solid playoff experience

• A fit for a run-heavy scheme with Jonathan Taylor

• Reliable, if not spectacular

Anthony Richardson: The Higher Ceiling

• Elite athleticism (think Cam Newton with more raw speed)

• Cannon arm and highlight play potential

• Needs reps to develop, but upside remains enormous

As one Reddit fan put it:

“AR’s upside is immense still and now he has fully focused on his career.”

Jones offers the steady floor; Richardson still owns the sky-high ceiling.

The Colts went with the safe pilot in Daniel Jones. He’s steady, professional, and unlikely to derail the season early. But make no mistake—Anthony Richardson is the future.

If Jones falters, or if the Colts find themselves out of playoff contention, don’t be surprised if Richardson reclaims the huddle. Until then, Colts fans will hope Jones can stay upright, stay healthy, and—most importantly—stay on his feet this time.