Colts HC opens up about Richardson, Jones QB competitors

At least some people throughout the NFL consider it is solely a matter of time earlier than free-agency signing Daniel Jones unseats 2023 first-round draft decide Anthony Richardson because the Indianapolis Colts beginning quarterback throughout a contest that might run by the second half of August.

Whereas talking with reporters on the NFL homeowners conferences on Monday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen touched upon what seems, on paper, to be a slightly uninspiring battle between a castoff and a possible draft bust. 

“It’ll begin within the spring,” Steichen stated in regards to the Richardson-Jones competitors, as shared by The Athletic’s James Boyd. “They’re gonna break up the (beginning) reps by spring observe and going into coaching camp. Actually, it’s gonna come all the way down to who’s essentially the most constant and who’s the best. (He) would be the starter.”

Whereas Jones’ closing two seasons with the New York Giants possible give Indianapolis followers little hope he generally is a long-term reply on the place, he however has the higher general resume of the 2 quarterbacks. In any case, he guided the 2022 Giants to a playoff berth and a street postseason win. In the meantime, a number of accidents restricted Richardson to fifteen begins over a doable 32 profession video games over his first two professional seasons. Moreover, he was benched for a pair of contests this previous November after he took himself out of a recreation as a result of he was “drained.”

The Colts satisfied Jones to depart the Minnesota Vikings in free company by signing him to a one-year, $14M contract value as much as $17.7M with $13.15M assured. That is a comparatively cheap value to pay for a doable starter but in addition beats what Jameis Winston acquired to be the Giants QB2. 

“He can run the ball with the zone learn recreation,” Steichen stated about Jones. “Clearly, he can throw the soccer, as properly. His profession completion is 64%, which is fairly good. (He) has had some manufacturing, gained a playoff recreation, excessive soccer IQ — actually excessive soccer IQ — which is admittedly good. … It’ll be a superb competitors between (him and Richardson).”

Steichen added that he doesn’t have a timeline for when he’ll title a starter. Whereas it is nonetheless very early into the method, it feels like each Jones and Richardson ought to get one preseason begin in August earlier than Steichen publicizes his Week 1 QB1.