Whispers emerged ahead of the first weekend of August, suggesting that Anthony Richardson had taken a noteworthy lead over free-agency signing Daniel Jones in the competition for the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 1 starting quarterback job.
However, Colts reporter Stephen Holder of ESPN mentioned on Sunday that “there has not been substantive separation between the two players through two weeks of camp.” As of early Monday morning, Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen hadn’t revealed how he’ll handle the quarterbacks for the club’s preseason opener at the Baltimore Ravens this coming Thursday evening.
“Tuesday’s joint practice with Baltimore and the subsequent game could be pivotal,” Holder added about the quarterback battle. “Steichen said one quarterback will get a bigger share of playing time in the first preseason game; the other will receive a larger share in Week 2 of the preseason.”
For an article posted on Monday, Holder wrote that “Richardson’s status as the team’s 2023 fourth overall pick might give him an edge, so Jones presumably needs to take the job from him” before Indianapolis’ Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7.
“It’s difficult to argue that that has happened thus far, with both passers showing the inconsistency that has plagued their careers,” Holder continued. “But coach Shane Steichen said he’s willing to take his time reaching a decision, so this one could linger until the end of the preseason.”
As of Monday morning, had Richardson as a -350 betting favorite to start against the Dolphins over Jones (+255 odds). Such information would seem to confirm that Jones hasn’t yet done enough during training camp for Steichen to give up on Richardson ahead of Labor Day.
That said, Indianapolis plays against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 16 before the Colts wrap the preseason up with a matchup at the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 23. It sounds like Jones could at least remain alive in the competition through the start of the Bengals game unless he essentially falls on his face during Indianapolis’ first two exhibition contests.
Even if Richardson gets the nod for the Miami game, it’s worth noting that injuries him to just 15 career regular-season starts (minus a two-game benching last fall). History shows that Steichen may need to turn to Jones sooner rather than later, regardless of how Richardson performs throughout August.