It's Jones over Richardson, and Indy braces for another season of mediocrity

Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson's Colts' future is bleak.

It’s not a popular decision, without any question, but it’s a defensible decision. It’s not an exciting decision – Daniel Jones hasn’t done much of anything since his breakout 2022 season with the New York Giants – but again, it’s defensible. Very defensible, no, but mildly defensible…sure.

Here’s how Shane Steichen laid out the reasons behind his decision to start Jones over Anthony Richardson, who failed to beat out Jones in his third season after being selected fourth overall in 2023.

“Consistency is really what I was looking for,” the Colts head coach said. “The operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the preparation, the ball placement, completion percentage…all that played a factor.”

This wasn’t my pick, but again, I’m not residing behind the scenes, don’t know what happens in meetings and film sessions, don’t know what these coaches experience day after day with their quarterbacks. That said, this feels like a move borne of self-preservation, both for Chris Ballard and Steichen, two men on the hot seat. While Jones can win you seven or eight games (maybe), Richardson remains boom or bust. With Jones, I see mediocrity. I see boredom. I see seven or eight wins. Not good enough. Not nearly. Why not risk it with Richardson and if he’s awful, you’re in good shape heading into a quarterback-rich draft? Did somebody mentions Arch Manning’s name?