Okay, so the Indianapolis Colts just dropped a pretty wild update on their quarterback depth chart for the regular season, and if you remember Anthony Richardson getting drafted, this one stings a bit. Head coach Shane Steichen announced Thursday that Richardson is officially the team’s No. 2 quarterback. That puts him squarely behind Daniel Jones, who’s still holding down the top spot. It also means Riley Leonard, who apparently competed with Richardson this summer, is now third in the pecking order. Talk about a curveball after all the hype.
The “QB of the Future” Now Watches From the Sidelines
Let’s rewind a second. It wasn’t that long ago, back in 2023, that the Colts snagged Richardson fourth overall in the draft. The whole league saw him as the future face of that franchise, the guy who’d lead them for years. But man, professional football is brutal. A combo of some serious injury setbacks and what the team called “inconsistent play” forced Indianapolis to pivot. They brought in Daniel Jones before last season, and Richardson, the supposed savior, couldn’t even win the starting job outright. It’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re drafted that high with so much expectation, only to find yourself watching someone else take the snaps.
Injuries, Opportunities, and a Rookie Deal on the Line
You’d think Richardson might have gotten another real shot after Jones’s brutal torn Achilles injury last year. That felt like his moment, right? A chance to prove he could lead the offense. But the football gods had other plans. Richardson himself was sidelined after Week 5 last season with an eye injury and didn’t play a single snap after that. So, the opportunity never really materialized. Now, it’s pretty clear: Jones’s health and how he performs on the field this season are going to be the major factors in whether Richardson even *gets* another shot to run the Colts’ offense. And here’s the kicker: this is the final year of Richardson’s rookie deal. That’s a whole lot of pressure for a guy who was supposed to be the undisputed starter.
So, as the regular season kicks off, all eyes in Indianapolis will be on Daniel Jones and how he bounces back from that Achilles. For Anthony Richardson, stuck at No. 2 on the depth chart, this season is absolutely massive. With his rookie deal ticking down, every snap he might get, every practice rep, is going to be scrutinized. His future in the league, especially with the Colts, feels like it’s hanging in the balance, and it starts with proving he’s ready whenever his number gets called.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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