Colts will add competition for Anthony Richardson, and there are options

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts remain invested in their erstwhile quarterback of the future.

But the challenge is crystal clear as Anthony Richardson heads into his third season: Earn it.

“I don’t think we can completely stamp it,’’ general manager Chris Ballard said last month. “We can’t beat our heads against the wall.

“We’ve got to have competition at the position. Just for one . . . competition makes everybody better.

“And then two, he’s not proven he can play 17 games.’’

Ballard mentioned the positive moments in Richardson’s first two seasons – the explosive touchdown passes, the dynamic presence in the run game – but quickly added, “There’s been some potholes, too.’’

The injuries are undeniable. Richardson has missed half of the Colts’ games – 17 of 34 – with a variety of issues.

“He’s got to be able to stay healthy,’’ Ballard said. “That to me is probably the biggest question right because now we’re going on two seasons in a row where he’s dealt with injuries.’’

The inaccuracy has been glaring. Richardson completed 47.7% of his passes in 11 starts last season, the worst in the NFL and the worst in Colts’ history. His 50.6% rate in two seasons ranks last among the 40 quarterbacks who’ve attempted at least 348 passes. Zach Wilson ranks No. 39 at 60.1%.

This offseason is paramount in Richardson’s development as a passer. Unlike last offseason when he was immersed in rehab following surgery on his right shoulder, his regimen in Florida and Indy can focus on improving his footwork and throwing mechanics. That includes leaning on passing expert Chris Hess, who helped with the development of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Finally, there’s no overstating the gravity of a healthy Richardson being benched for two games last season. Shane Steichen and others determined the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft wasn’t approaching his job with the required commitment.

Ballard said it appeared Richardson “was drowning’’ after the Colts’ 23-20 loss at Houston in week 8. He completed just 10-of-32 passes for 175 yards and was sacked five times.

More damning, Richardson “tapped out’’ for one play in the third quarter. After the game, he admitted he was tired and needed a quick breather.

The two-year summation convinced Ballard that a different approach was necessary for the most influential position heading into 2025.

Nothing will be given to Richardson. He’ll have to earn every rep, which means winning training camp competition with someone not yet on the roster. Joe Flacco isn’t expected to be re-signed after passing for 1,761 yards and 12 touchdowns in six starts and eight appearances. Sam Ehlinger also will be an unrestricted free agent.

“We’ll bring (in) who we think is the best guy to bring in,’’ Ballard said. “In terms of the age and where it comes from, I’m not ready to stamp that right now. But look, we did it the year before with Gardner (Minshew II).’’

Richardson insisted he’ll welcome the challenge.

“I’m a natural competitor,’’ he said at the end of last season. “I’ve been competing all my life. I love competing.

“So, if the team feels like that’s the right direction we want to go in, I’m all for it. I’m competing . . . working my tail off to be the best version (of myself) I can for this team.’’

Realistic camp competition likely comes in the form of a veteran. The Colts hold the No. 14 overall pick in an April draft that lacks star power among quarterback prospects. That shouldn’t preclude them from adding a QB with a mid-round pick, but a rookie isn’t the type of on-field motivation required to push Richardson.

Here are a few names to consider. We’ve excluded Aaron Rodgers, who’ll be released by the New York Jets, just because we can’t imagine Ballard and Steichen adding a 41-year-old and the accompanying distractions with so much on the line in 2025.

If we’re wrong, we’ll apologize.

Some more realistic options include:

DANIEL JONES

Status: Pending free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.
Age: 27.
NFL entry: Sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft by the New York Giants.
2024 salary: $1.125 million.
2024 recap: Started the first 10 games as the Giants got off to a 2-8 start. Jones was benched, eventually released and signed with the Vikings. He didn’t step on the field with Minnesota.
Career: 69 starts with the Giants and a 24-44-1 record . . . 70 TDs, 47 interceptions and an 84.3 passer rating . . . 14,582 passing yards and 2,179 rushing yards with 15 TDs. Completed 64.1% of his passes . . . sacked 208 times, third-most in the NFL from 2019-24 behind Russell Wilson (261) and Baker Mayfield (225).
Comment: There figures to be a strong market for Jones, which will drive up the cost. He would represent a legitimate training camp competition for Richardson. There have been more downs than ups during Jones’ six-year career, with the bottom being the Giants benching and releasing their former franchise QB. The high point came in 2022 when Jones passed for a career-high 3,205 yards with 15 TDs and just five interceptions, Saquon Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 TDs and the Giants earned a wild-card spot with a 9-7-1 record. What’s intriguing about Jones is whether he can elevate his game with a stronger supporting cast than he generally had with the Giants.

JUSTIN FIELDS

Status: Pending free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Age: 25.
NFL Entry: 11^th overall pick in 2021 draft by the Chicago Bears.
2024 cap hit: $3.2 million.
2024 recap: Started the first six games after the Steelers acquired him in a March trade. Led Pittsburgh to 4-2 record before being replaced by Russell Wilson. Fields completed 65.8% of his passes with five TDs and one interception and rushed for 289 yards and five TDs.
Career: Started 38 of 40 games in three seasons with the Bears and excelled more as a running threat (2,220 yards, 14 TDs, including 1,143 yards in 2022) than a passer (166.9 yards per game, 60.3%, 40 TDs, 30 interceptions, 135 sacks) before being traded to the Steelers.
Comment: The attraction of adding Fields to the quarterback mix is how closely his skillset matches Richardson. That could be a plus since there wouldn’t be much scheme change whether Richardson or Fields emerges as the starter. The possible downside is Fields probably won’t inject necessary life into the passing game. In 50 career games, he’s passed for more than 200 yards just 15 times and cracked 300 twice. The Colts actually witnessed Fields’ potential in their 27-24 win in week 4 last season. He passed for 312 yards and one TD and rushed 10 times for 55 yards and two TDs.

SAM DARNOLD

Status: Pending free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.
Age: 27.
NFL entry: 3^rd overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018 draft.
2024 cap hit: $10 million.
2024 recap: The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year deal and turned to him after first-round pick J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason opener. Darnold responded by leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record and earning his first Pro Bowl spot by passing for career highs with 4,319 yards and 35 TDs. He struggled badly in his final two starts, including the 27-9 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams when he suffered an interception and was sacked nine times.
Career: Darnold has started 73 of 83 games in seven seasons – he’s 35-38 as a starter – and could be with his fourth team in as many seasons. While his career never took off with the Jets – a 13-25 record as a starter with 45 TDs and 39 interceptions – last season proved he’s a viable starter with a stable organization.
Comment: The overriding issue with Darnold is whether the Vikings make any effort to retain him. That most likely would be with the franchise or transition tag. McCarthy is the Vikings’ future, but the need for a quality Plan B was driven home in 2024. If Minnesota allows Darnold to hit the open market, he’ll command top dollar and that might take the Colts out of the mix.

JAMEIS WINSTON

Status: Pending free agent with the Cleveland Browns.
Age: 31.
NFL entry: 1^st overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 2015 draft.
2024 cap hit: $4 million.
2024 recap: Started seven games for the Browns and was erratic. Completed 61.1% of his passes with 13 TDs, 12 interceptions and 24 sacks. There were a few of those Winston-moments, including 497 yards, four TDs and three interceptions in a loss at Denver; 395 yards and two TDs in a loss at New Orleans and 334 yards and three TDs in a win against Baltimore.
Career: There’s hardly been a dull moment as Winston has started 87 of 105 games with the Buccaneers, Saints and Browns. He’s completed a modest 61.2% of his passes for 24,225 yards with 154 TDs and 111 interceptions. Winston holds the distinction of being the NFL’s only 30-30 QB: 33 TDs and 30 interceptions in 2019. He led the league that season with 5,109 yards and 626 attempts.
Comment: Winston would bring an aggressive, risk-taker to Indy. His 111 interceptions are tied-8^th more most among active quarterbacks while his 154 TDs rank No. 15. His addition clearly would inject life into the pass game.

MAC JONES

Status: Pending free agent with Jacksonville.
Age: 26.
NFL entry: 15^th overall pick by New England in the 2021 draft.
2024 cap hit: $2.78 million.
2024 recap: Jones started seven games for the injured Trevor Lawrence and did little to inspire future suitors. He completed 65.3% of his passes with eight TDs and eight interceptions. Jones started the Jaguars’ season finale at Indy – a 26-23 Colts’ win in overtime – and passed for 225 yards with one TD and one interception.
Career: Jones hit the ground running. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie after leading the Patriots to a 10-7 record with 3,801 yards, 22 TDs and 13 interceptions. Since then, he’s 10-22 as a starter with New England and Jacksonville with 32 TDs and 31 interceptions.
Comment: This is the type of camp competition that makes the most sense. A Mac Jones or Zack Wilson or Taylor Heinicke or even Jacoby Brissett.

JIMMY GAROPPOLO

Status: Pending free agent with the Los Angeles Rams.
Age: 33.
NFL entry: Second round pick (No. 62 overall) of New England in the 2014 draft.
2024 cap hit: $3.1 million.
2024 recap: Signed a one-year deal with the Rams and served as Matthew Stafford’s backup. Garoppolo’s only start came in the season finale against Seattle when the Rams rested Stafford and other front-line players. He completed 27-of-41 passes for 334 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 30-25 loss to the Seahawks. Garoppolo was suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Career: Garoppolo has a 43-21 record as a starter during an 11-year career that includes stints with New England, San Francisco and the Rams. Injuries have plagued him, but when he’s stayed on the field, he’s been effective. In 2019, Garoppolo led the Niners to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl LIV. San Francisco held a 20-10 lead over Kansas City midway through the fourth quarter before Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory. Two years later, the Garoppolo-led Niners reached the NFC Championship game where they led the Rams 17-7 early in the fourth quarter before fading and losing 20-17. Garoppolo has a career 97.6 passer rating on the strength of completing 67.4% of his passes for 15,828 yards with 96 TDs and 52 interceptions.
Comment: This would probably be a low-risk, high-reward signing. It shouldn’t take much to sign Garoppolo and he has experience at both starting and sitting behind someone.

ZACH WILSON

Status: Pending free agent with Denver.
Age: 25.
NFL entry: 2^nd overall pick by the Jets in the 2021 draft.
2024 cap hit: $2.7 million.
2024 recap: Didn’t step on the field with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade with the Jets.
Career: Started 33 games with the Jets and finished with a 12-21 record with 23 TDs and 25 interceptions.
Comment: This might be more of a developmental acquisition than strong competition for Richardson, which would defeat the purpose. Richardson must be seriously pushed.

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.