Colts QB Battle Between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones Still Too Close to Call

The Indianapolis Colts are entering the final stretch of preseason with one of the most watched quarterback competitions in the league: Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones. With just two preseason games remaining, Colts coach Shane Steichen hopes a clear starter emerges soon.

"We'll work through that," Steichen said Thursday about naming a Week 1 starter. "We had today, we got a preseason game (Saturday), we have some practices next week and we'll work through that. I don't have an exact timetable on it, but sooner rather than later would be nice."

The quarterback battle took an unexpected turn last weekend when Richardson suffered a dislocated pinky on his right hand after a hard sack by Baltimore's David Ojabo, forcing him out of the rest of the game. While Richardson returned to practice quickly, the injury limited his game reps, leaving both quarterbacks virtually tied in the competition.

Jones delivered a mixed performance in the 24-16 loss to the Ravens, completing 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards and showing flashes of his ability while also exposing lingering inconsistencies. Both he and Richardson have had their moments in practice, but neither has pulled ahead in a meaningful way.

"I want to see how this thing plays out on Saturday and we'll see early into next week and see where it goes," Steichen added, emphasizing that Saturday's preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers could provide crucial clarity.

The Colts’ quarterback race has felt like a dead heat election, with both candidates touting progress but neither showing enough to claim the lead definitively. Fans are eagerly awaiting a breakthrough, and the next week of preseason action and practice will likely be the deciding factor.

What This Means for the Colts

With the season opener looming, the Colts need a clear starter to lead their offense. Richardson’s athletic upside contrasts with Jones’ experience and stability, but injuries and inconsistent play have kept the competition wide open. Whoever wins the job will have to hit the ground running, as Indianapolis’ Week 1 matchup will set the tone for the 2025 season.