

The Indianapolis Colts have dropped a bombshell on the NFL. Daniel Jones, the quarterback cut loose by the New York Giants just last year, has been named the starter in Indianapolis. The announcement leaves Anthony Richardson – once hailed as the future of the franchise – watching from the sidelines.
It’s a decision that flips the script. Richardson, a first-round pick in 2023, was supposed to be the man to lead the Colts back to glory. Instead, he has lost the battle in training camp to a player many believed was already finished at the top level.
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Head coach Shane Steichen was clear: Jones has earned it. “He’s the starting QB for the season,”Steichen said. “Both of them pushed hard, but Daniel controlled the offense better. That’s what tipped it.”
Jones, 28, has been fighting for his career since his fall from grace in New York. He once carried the Giants into the playoffs and looked like a star. Then came the injuries, the turnovers, and finally the humiliation of being demoted before asking for his release. After a short stop in Minnesota, Jones bet on himself with a $14 million deal in Indianapolis. Now he has his reward.
Richardson left in limbo
For Richardson, the verdict is brutal. He had the trust of late owner Jim Irsay, who called him the quarterback of the future. He had the draft pedigree. He had the physical gifts. But he does not have the job.
The last two years have been cruel. A shoulder injury cut short his rookie season. A year later, inconsistency and even a request to come out of a game for “tiredness” raised questions about his mentality. Now, at just 23, he must learn from the bench while the man labeled a castoff leads the team.
Steichen tried to soften the blow, insisting Richardson’s story is far from over. “He knows he needs to keep learning. He knows he’s one play away,”the coach said. “The locker room supports Daniel, but they also support AR. This is not the end.”
But the message is clear: the Colts are no longer waiting for Richardson to figure it out. They want stability. They want leadership. And they believe Jones can deliver it now.
A new test awaits
Since Andrew Luck’s shock retirement in 2019, Indianapolis has lived through a carousel of quarterbacks. Eleven different starters in six years. Now, Daniel Jones is the next to step into the chaos.
The Colts will open the season against the Miami Dolphins on September 7. If Jones shines, he could rebuild his reputation and silence his critics. If he fails, the calls for Richardson will grow louder by the week.
For now, though, the Colts have made their gamble. Jones is in charge. Richardson waits. And the NFL watches.
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