Through four weeks of the NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves sitting at 2-2. On paper, a .500 record doesn’t scream crisis. But the nuance behind the number has created an atmosphere of unease in Indianapolis. The Colts have dropped two winnable games, their offense has looked inconsistent, and questions are beginning to bubble about whether their young franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson, is holding the team back—or simply enduring the natural turbulence that comes with being a developing star.
What complicates the conversation further is the presence of Daniel Jones, the former Giants starter now serving as Indianapolis’s backup. By multiple accounts, Jones has looked sharp in practice and impressed coaches with his preparation. While Richardson remains the face of the franchise, some inside the building are beginning to quietly wonder: if the Colts want to salvage their season before it slips away, should Jones get a shot at the starting role?
The Richardson Rollercoaster
Anthony Richardson entered the league with rare physical tools and sky-high potential. At 6’4” and 244 pounds with elite speed, arm strength, and athleticism, he was always seen as a project quarterback who could someday become unstoppable. Last season, flashes of brilliance validated the Colts’ faith in him. But this year, the developmental curve has been steep.
Through four games, Richardson has posted respectable numbers on paper—averaging 247 passing yards per game with 8 total touchdowns—but the film tells a different story. Too often, the offense has stalled due to his inaccuracy on intermediate throws, slow reads against disguised coverages, and a reluctance to take the checkdown when defenses bait him deep.
“He’s got the talent, no doubt,” one Colts veteran told me anonymously. “But you can’t leave points on the field in this league. We’ve been in games we should’ve put away, and we didn’t because drives stalled. That’s the difference between 4-0 and 2-2.”
Richardson’s struggles aren’t just about statistics. They’re about momentum. The Colts’ defense has played well enough to win. Jonathan Taylor has regained form, averaging 161 scrimmage yards per game. Yet, drives die inside the 30, and turnovers—Richardson already has five—have tilted games at the worst moments.
For head coach Rex Ryan, the frustration is balancing short-term wins with long-term investment. “Anthony’s our guy,” Ryan said earlier this week. “There’s no question about that. But like any young quarterback, there’s going to be growing pains. We’ve got to coach him, support him, and help him find consistency.”
That’s the public stance. Behind the scenes, the patience may be thinner.
Daniel Jones: The Intriguing Option
Daniel Jones’s presence complicates the quarterback conversation. Signed in the offseason to a modest two-year deal after being released by the Giants, Jones was expected to serve as a reliable veteran backup and mentor. Instead, he’s become a live topic in team meetings.
Multiple sources describe Jones as “sharp” and “confident” in recent practices, carving up the Colts’ second-team defense with timing throws and steady decision-making. One assistant coach noted, “The ball just doesn’t hit the ground when Daniel’s running the scout team. He’s making the throws, keeping rhythm. It’s noticeable.”
Jones isn’t without his flaws. His tenure in New York was marred by inconsistency, injuries, and turnover issues. But at his best, he’s a steady game manager capable of running a ball-control offense. With Taylor in the backfield and a stout defense, the Colts don’t necessarily need fireworks at quarterback—they need stability.
“That’s the thing,” another Colts staffer explained. “Anthony can change a game with one play. Daniel won’t wow you the same way, but he might keep us on schedule. Right now, staying on schedule might be what this team needs.”
The Locker Room Dynamic
The Richardson vs. Jones conversation isn’t just tactical—it’s emotional. Players know the stakes of an NFL season. They also know when a teammate is struggling.
Several veterans, particularly on defense, have reportedly voiced frustration after last week’s loss, where Richardson missed two wide-open throws that could have sealed the game. “We bust our a** to get the ball back, and we’ve got to cash in,” one defender said privately. “We can’t keep wasting chances.”
That said, Richardson still commands respect. His teammates see the work he puts in, and his leadership style—humble, accountable, competitive—has kept the locker room from fracturing. “Nobody’s pointing fingers at Anthony,” said center Ryan Kelly. “We know he’s battling. We’re all in it together.”
Jones, for his part, has handled the speculation gracefully. “I’m here to help the team in whatever role I’m asked,” he told reporters. “Anthony’s a heck of a talent. My job is to be ready if my number’s called.”
Ryan’s Dilemma
Head coach Rex Ryan is in a delicate spot. He was hired to develop Richardson, to mold the raw prospect into a franchise centerpiece. Benching him this early could send mixed signals, undermining confidence and slowing growth. At the same time, the Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020. Owner Jim Irsay has made clear he wants results now.
“There’s no magic formula,” Ryan admitted Monday. “We’ve got to evaluate every position, every week, and put the team in the best position to win.”
That last line caught attention. It wasn’t an outright endorsement of Richardson, nor a declaration that Jones was being considered. But it was enough to stoke speculation that a change isn’t off the table.
The Big Picture: Development vs. Winning
The Colts’ situation boils down to a familiar NFL dilemma: prioritize the future or chase the present?
Richardson represents the future. His ceiling is higher than almost any quarterback in the league. Benching him risks stunting his growth, creating doubt, and delaying his trajectory. Young quarterbacks, from Josh Allen to Jalen Hurts, have needed patience to unlock their potential.
Jones represents the present. He’s not the long-term answer, but he might be the steady hand that ensures the Colts don’t waste a strong roster in 2025. With the AFC still wide open this early in the year, every game matters. A two-game skid in October could be the difference between contending for a playoff spot or sliding into irrelevance.
NFL history is full of examples of teams choosing one path over the other. The Dolphins famously benched rookie Ryan Tannehill in 2012 for stretches to chase wins. The Chiefs sat Patrick Mahomes until Week 17 of his rookie year to let Alex Smith lead a playoff push. The Bills, by contrast, lived through Josh Allen’s early struggles, knowing the pain was temporary.
The Colts now must decide which road they want to walk.
What Comes Next
For now, Richardson remains the starter. Steichen has reiterated his support, and barring injury, he will likely start in Week 5. But the leash feels shorter than before. If Richardson continues to misfire in crucial moments and the Colts drop below .500, the pressure to try Jones will intensify.
Much may hinge on the next two games. Win both, and Richardson quiets the noise. Split or lose both, and the calls for Jones will be deafening.
The Colts’ veterans will play a role too. If frustration mounts in the locker room, Ryan may have no choice but to act. Team unity often dictates coaching decisions as much as performance.
For Richardson, the challenge is to accelerate his development on the fly. “I’ve got to be better,” he admitted after Sunday’s loss. “The guys are counting on me, and I’m leaving plays out there. I know it. I’ve just got to keep grinding.”
Conclusion: A Season on the Brink
At 2-2, the Colts aren’t in crisis. But they are at a crossroads. Do they continue riding the Richardson rollercoaster, betting on his upside to eventually outweigh his mistakes? Or do they pivot to Jones, gambling that stability today is worth delaying tomorrow’s promise?
Either way, the decision will define not just this season, but perhaps the franchise’s trajectory. If Richardson breaks through, the Colts could be contenders for years. If his development stalls—or if Jones takes over and only offers short-term relief—the organization risks falling into the NFL’s dreaded middle ground: too good to rebuild, not good enough to win big.
For now, all eyes are on Ryan, Richardson, and Jones. The next few weeks will reveal whether the Colts’ season takes off—or slips quietly out of their grasp.
