"Colts Rookie Riley Leonard Named Preseason Player to Watch"

Indianapolis Colts QB RIley Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts are undecided about who will become the starting quarterback for the team in the 2025-26 season.

Third-year QB Anthony Richardson and new signing Daniel Jones will fight for the role behind the center during preseason. Richardson is set to start the first preseason game, while Jones will get the starting nod in the second.

Richardson hasn’t lived up to his expectations due to inconsistency and injuries throughout his two-year career and Jones is looking to revitalize his career after recent struggles.

But with those two being the bigger names, it is the 6th-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft that could surprise during preseason. Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr names Riley Leonard as a player to watch for in the first preseason week.

“Let’s get this out of the way—I’m not one of those people who thinks the Notre Dame prospect is going to unseat either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson. But this item and the next one have a similar flavor,” Orr wrote for SI. “Leonard got the Fighting Irish out of so much trouble this past season with his legs: 184 carries, nearly 1,000 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. He averaged more than 50 rushing yards per game.”

“The Colts had a meager 53% conversion rate in the red zone this past season, with Richardson not really living up to the hype as a bulldozer with touch. I think coaches will be warming more to the idea of using red zone-specific quarterbacks in the future and Leonard is a great curiosity in that regard. He’s had a good camp and is coming off a national championship game that, over the course of the second half, showcased his decision-making skills against a great defense in total chaos. Can that translate?”

Colts Head Coach On Riley Leonard

GettyRiley Leonard played one season at Notre Dame

 

With Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones fighting for the number one spot, neither quarterback has room for error. This allows Riley Leonard to climb up the depth chart without being pressured (albeit not given high expectations).

“[He’s] a really smart, intelligent player, high football IQ, ” Steichen said of the 6th-round pick during rookie minicamp. “He’ll be really good in [the QB] room.”

Orr focuses on Leonard as a run threat option for the Colts, but the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a completion percentage of 66.7, throwing for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Leonard said that the offensive system Shane Steichen and Jim Bob Cooter run is quarterback-friendly.

Unlikely To Be Used

GettyIndianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen (left) and quarterback Anthony Richardson (right)

Riley Leonard could impress in the snaps he receives in the preseason, it is unlikely the Colts will use him as much in the regular season.

The Colts used the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Richardson and signed Jones to a $14 million contract.

Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard look to prove their investments in a make-or-break season for the pair.

If Leonard has some decent showings in the preseason, he could get an opportunity as the number 1 quarterback spot on the team.