NFL rumors: Insider boldly predicts Indianapolis Colts to sign former top-10 pick to compete with Anthony Richardson

The Anthony Richardson era hasn’t gotten off to the start the Indianapolis Colts were hoping for, as his starting job now hangs in the balance.

Richardson, whom the Colts selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, played just 24 college games at Florida but showcased electric talent with incredible upside Indianapolis felt they couldn’t pass up.

Instead of developing him and having him sit behind a veteran quarterback for a year or two, they threw Richardson into the fire his rookie season. He was limited to just four games due to a concussion and a season-ending right shoulder injury, but he produced when on the field. Richardson threw three touchdowns to just one interception and ran for another four scores.

There were high hopes for Richardson in 2024 coming back from injury, but the season quickly unraveled. During a Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans, he asked to come out of the game after three straight runs, saying afterward he was “tired.” A few weeks later, the coaching staff benched him for Joe Flacco, citing inconsistent play.

Richardson finished the season with a 6-5 record, 1,814 passing yards, eight touchdown passes, and 12 interceptions. He added another six scores on the ground, showing flashes of his dual-threat potential despite the struggles.

The Colts have since made it clear that Richardson will need to earn his way back as a starter in 2025. This development has led one NFL insider to predict Indianapolis will sign a former first-round pick to compete with their young quarterback.

Related: Indianapolis Colts linked to stunning move in NFL free agency that could lead to Anthony Richardson trade

NFL insider believes Indianapolis Colts will sign former $160 million quarterback

The Athletic’s Mike Jones believes the Colts will bring in Daniel Jones, whom the New York Giants selected sixth overall in 2019 but released in-season last year.

“Jones’ time in New York ended with a late November release, and he spent the rest of 2024 learning from Kevin O’Connell while buried on the Vikings’ depth chart. Given the questions that still loom over Anthony Richardson, the Colts will look to add another quarterback, and Jones makes some sense. He will not break the bank, and after coming in and initially learning behind Richardson, the 2019 first-round pick could wind up earning playing time as an experimental starter should Richardson continue to struggle,” Mike Jones notes.

Being in a stress-free environment like Indianapolis might help shed Daniel Jones’ bust label. He had one successful season during his time with the Giants, when he led New York to a 9-6-1 record and a surprising playoff berth after throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. The Giants rewarded him with a four-year, $160 million contract that infamously backfired on general manager Joe Schoen. Jones appeared in just 16 games after signing the deal before suffering a neck injury and ultimately being released.

In six seasons with the Giants, Jones started 69 games, compiling a 24-44-1 record while throwing 70 touchdowns against 47 interceptions. He posted an 84.3 passer rating and took 208 sacks behind often-porous offensive lines.