Colts normal supervisor Chris Ballard added gas to the crew’s budding quarterback controversy on Wednesday when he mentioned the “similarities” between 2024 Week 1 starter Anthony Richardson and 2025 free-agent signing Daniel Jones.
In a video produced by the Colts team website, “Behind The Colts: 2025 Free Company,” Ballard mentioned including Jones to the quarterback room on a one-year, $14 million contract at the beginning of free company.
The nine-year normal supervisor made it clear he views the 2019 first-round choose as reliable competitors to overhaul Richardson, who the crew drafted No. 4 total in 2023, as Indianapolis’ QB1.
“Between Daniel and Anthony, you are going to see a very good competitors,” Ballard stated. (h/t NFL.com)
“We thought Daniel’s ability set and Anthony’s ability set — there’s lots of similarities there,” Ballard added. “So offensively, I believe that is going to assist our offensive employees.”
These feedback, which recommend the Colts view Jones and Richardson as interchangeable, lay the groundwork for Jones doubtlessly getting into the 2025 season because the crew’s beginning quarterback.
Each Jones and Richardson are cell threats. For his profession, Jones has 2,179 dashing yards and 15 dashing touchdowns on 399 carries (5.5 yards per try), together with a career-high 708 dashing yards in 2022. Richardson has 635 profession dashing yards and 10 dashing touchdowns on 111 carries (5.7 yards per try) in two seasons (15 video games).
No matter who earns the function, neither possibility ought to excite followers. In his final 16 begins relationship again to the beginning of the 2023 season, Jones went 3-13 with the Giants, finishing 64.7 p.c of his move makes an attempt for two,979 yards (5.9 yards per try), 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Sadly, that could be an improve over Richardson, who had an alarming 47.7 p.c completion share in 11 begins a season in the past. After finishing 54.7 p.c of his passes in faculty, it could be overly optimistic for the Colts to consider he’ll make the enhancements essential to grow to be their franchise quarterback.
If they provide the Colts comparable contributions within the working recreation, whoever is extra constant as a passer ought to have the sting. At this level, that seems to be Jones.
