Daniel Jones Named Colts’ Week 1 Starter Over Anthony Richardson
In a pivotal move ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts have officially chosen Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for Week 1. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating, “He’s our starting quarterback for the season.”
The Backstory: A Close Competition
The Colts orchestrated an open competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, the latter being the No. 4 overall pick from the 2023 draft. Both quarterbacks shared snaps throughout training camp and in two preseason games. Jones showed more accuracy and operational command, while Richardson offered dynamic playmaking upside despite injury concerns.
In the preseason matchup against the Green Bay Packers:
Daniel Jones completed 7 of 11 passes for 101 yards. Anthony Richardson went 6 of 11 for 73 yards.
Steichen cited “consistency across execution, communication, and operational command” as core to his decision. Jones’s steadiness ultimately gave him the edge.
Why Daniel Jones Got the Nod
Here are three key factors behind the Colts’ decision:
Experience Matters Jones brings six NFL seasons and 69 starts, compared to Richardson’s 15 starts. For a team seeking immediate impact and structure, that experience is invaluable. Consistency Over Flash With a career completion rate hovering around 64.1%, Jones offers reliable accuracy. Richardson’s early career accuracy lags—about 50.6%. That steadiness might be pivotal for Colts leadership aiming to drive this offense effectively from Day 1. Clean Execution In his preseason snaps, Jones took 46 drops, was sacked just once, threw no interceptions, and had no touchdown passes—but more importantly, he managed the offense smoothly and avoided mistakes.
What’s Next: Week 1 Outlook
Daniel Jones now heads into Week 1 as the Colts’ starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 7.
This marks a fresh chapter for Jones, a former Giants first-round pick who signed a one-year, $14 million deal with Indianapolis this past March. His season-long challenge will be to leverage his experience and leadership to give the Colts a stable offensive foundation.
Closing Thoughts
By naming Jones as the starter, the Colts are opting for a proven hand to navigate this season—prioritizing readiness and reliability. Whether this translates into wins or falters under pressure, it’s clear that Indianapolis isn’t looking to gamble on raw potential but rather invest in consistent quarterback stewardship.
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a more analytical breakdown or a lighter, fan-friendly write-up!
