Who will be the Indianapolis Colts quarterback in 2025? It’ll either be holdover Anthony Richardson or newcomer Daniel Jones. However, the team could be looking for another signal-caller in 2026. Bleacher Report‘s Brad Gagnon listed the Colts as a prime candidate to pursue a franchise quarterback next offseason.
“Anthony Richardson is on very thin ice after throwing 12 interceptions in 11 games as a sophomore,” Gagnon wrote. “The Colts signed Daniel Jones this offseason, but it’s entirely possible that both of those guys flunk out.”
Gagnon is right. Both Richardson and Jones could “flunk out” in 2025. And if that’s the case, both players will be gone after the season, leaving the team looking for an answer at the most important position in sports.
The Indianapolis Colts Were Listed as a Prime Candidate to Look for a New Franchise Quarterback in 2026
Indy’s Current Quarterback Room
Ever since Andrew Luck retired in 2019, the Colts have been searching for a franchise signal caller. The team has had a quarterback carousel with guys like Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan.
Anthony Richardson was supposed to end the carousel. Yet, the fourth overall pick in 2023 has struggled with injuries and accuracy issues so far.
Richardson will compete with Daniel Jones for the starting job. It’ll be a battle between two former top-10 picks who have a lot to prove. It will be interesting to see who wins. The loser will be the primary backup, replacing Joe Flacco, who’s now with the Cleveland Browns.
Riley Leonard and Jason Bean will duke it out for the No. 3 quarterback spot. Leonard, who led Notre Dame to the national championship game last season, was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the undrafted Bean will look to make the 53-man roster after missing out last year. He was on the Colts’ practice squad a season ago.
Will the Colts Be Searching for a New Quarterback in 2026?
Richardson has shown flashes of developing into a franchise quarterback. He has a cannon for an arm and is ridiculously athletic. The Florida native also possesses the potential to be an elite dual-threat quarterback.
The Colts hope Jones’ addition will push Richardson to become the star he’s supposed to be. A lot of fans and pundits believe he’s a bust. But there’s a possibility that he’ll take a giant leap in 2025 and prove them wrong.
It’s also possible that Jones grabs the starting job. He could either earn the job in training camp or step in if Richardson goes down with an injury (knock on wood). If Jones does become the starter, he could revive his career and become the next Sam Darnold. A change of scenery for Jones, who struggled with the New York Giants, may be just what he needs to turn things around.
But again, both Richardson and Jones could have a disastrous 2025 campaign. If that happens, the Colts will likely draft a first-round quarterback in 2026. If things get really bad, they just might be in a position to land the No. 1 pick and draft Arch Manning. The Texas Longhorn is, of course, the nephew of Colts legend Peyton Manning. We’ll see how everything plays out.
