Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen Announced, To Be Without.
The Indianapolis Colts have once again turned to a veteran backup quarterback to step in for Anthony Richardson, first due to injury and then an in-season benching. As Richardson enters a crucial 2025 season, he will now face strong competition from an experienced signal-caller during training camp.
Selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson made only four starts in his rookie season before undergoing shoulder surgery. While Gardner Minshew filled in capably, Richardson missed valuable development time.
In 2024, Richardson struggled in his first six starts, posting a 4-7 TD-INT ratio, a 44.4% completion rate, and a 57.2 QB rating, leading to his benching in favor of Joe Flacco. Although he regained the starting role in Week 11, his performance showed only slight improvement, prompting the Colts to take action.
Speaking at the NFL Combine, Colts general manager Chris Ballard confirmed that the team plans to bring in a veteran quarterback through free agency to compete with Richardson for the starting job.
Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen Announced, To Be Without Another Key Player For At Least A Month…
Assessing the Colts’ Quarterback Situation
The motivation is clear—both Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are under pressure to deliver results in 2025. With job security at stake, the front office has already identified several free-agent quarterbacks as potential targets.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Colts are considering Daniel Jones and Jacoby Brissett as their primary options, with Trey Lance and Justin Fields also under consideration.
Some of these players have prior connections to the Colts. Ballard reportedly had a strong interest in Fields ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, and his skill set would align well with Steichen’s offensive system. Similarly, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson has reported that Ballard was high on Jones during the 2019 draft, with Jones’ dual-threat ability making him a potential fit alongside running back Jonathan Taylor in an RPO-heavy scheme.
A signing of Brissett or Lance, however, could signal an open quarterback competition in training camp. Brissett, who previously played for the Colts from 2018-2020, has posted an 83.8 QB rating with a 61.4% completion rate in his last 11 games. Meanwhile, Lance, a former first-round pick, has recorded an 80.3 QB rating, a 5-4 TD-INT ratio, and a 56.6% completion rate in 12 career games since 2021.
