Indianapolis is kicking off the 2026 NFL season with a surprise move at quarterback, and honestly, you have to be paying attention. Anthony Richardson Sr. has officially been named the Week 1 backup behind Daniel Jones. This isn’t some quiet depth chart shuffle, either. This is a guy who was seemingly on the trade block for ages, a first-round QB who even *requested a trade* himself after the 2025 season. Now? He’s the Colts’ No. 2. Wild.
The Starter’s Return and the Backup Battle
So, Daniel Jones is back, and that’s huge. Remember that brutal mid-season injury that shut down his breakout 2025 season? That was tough to watch. But he’s good to go for Week 1 this year, which is fantastic news for the team. The thing is, the Colts know firsthand how critical that backup spot is, especially after seeing their No. 2 get playing time last season. That experience put a real spotlight on who would be stepping up for 2026. Initially, Riley Leonard looked like a really strong candidate, someone who showed genuine promise during his 2025 rookie season, making a real case for that backup job. Everyone was kinda expecting him to grab it, right?
Richardson’s Unexpected Rise From Trade Bait
But then, BAM! ESPN’s Stephen Holder dropped the news directly from head coach Shane Steichen. Steichen himself announced that it’s Anthony Richardson Sr. who will be their No. 2 QB, right behind Jones, to start the season. Holder specifically reported, “Colts HC Shane Steichen announces that Anthony Richardson Sr. will be their No. 2 QB behind Daniel Jones to start the season.” This is where it gets really noteworthy, because it’s way more than just figuring out the depth chart. This is Richardson, the former No. 4 overall pick, winning that QB2 battle over Leonard. Think about that for a second. This is the same Richardson who missed most of the 2025 season after a freak injury, and after that, his name was *everywhere* on the trade block. It felt like a real possibility he was going to be moved, that his time in Indianapolis was done. The team didn’t trade him, though, despite all the chatter. Leonard, despite that promise from his rookie season, just didn’t get the nod for this backup gig. It’s such a fascinating decision, especially when you consider how many trade rumors swirled around Richardson all offseason, and that he actually *requested* a trade himself after the 2025 season. Yet, here he is, still in Indy.
What This Means for AR’s Future in Indy
Now, he’s the backup quarterback for Jones, which means he could absolutely see some playing time this upcoming season. This is a massive decision for the Colts, no question. This move totally changes the outlook for Richardson. With him now in this specific role, it really feels like he’s much more likely to stay in Indianapolis for the rest of his rookie deal than anyone in the league, or even in Indy, would have guessed earlier in the offseason. It’s a huge turnaround from where things looked just a few months ago, and you know everyone’s gonna be watching every snap he takes, whether it’s in practice or, potentially, on the field in a game that matters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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