The beginning of Anthony Richardson's NFL career hasn't quite gone according to plan.
When the Colts used their fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on the Florida product, who boasted a big frame and elite rushing skills, they likely envisioned Richardson become a Cam Newton or Lamar Jackson-type player, who could generate offense in various ways. Instead, Richardson got more bad news on Tuesday, when the Colts named veteran Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter.
For Richardson, who's entering his third NFL season, that news once again means he won't have the opportunity to see the field, at least in Week 1. But could the decision to start Jones signal Richardson's need for a change of scenery as well?
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Here's how the Colts' quarterback decision could impact Richardson's future, both in 2025 and the long term.
MORE: Colts officially name Daniel Jones Week 1 starter
What's next for Anthony Richardson?
With Jones getting the nod for Week 1, and likely holding that role for at least the first few weeks of the season, Richardson slots in as the Colts' backup for now. It's not an unfamiliar role for the 23-year-old, who took a backseat to veteran Joe Flacco in 2024 and also saw Gardner Minshew fill in when he got injured in his rookie campaign.
Moving forward, the simplest answer for Richardson is focusing on his development. There are still plenty of encouraging skills he has that could translate into being an NFL starter, even if his time hasn't truly arrived yet. Richardson's 12 interceptions last season clouded his ceiling, but he does own 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores over his first two years.
"You gotta respect the decision," Richardson said Tuesday after the Colts announced Jones as QB1. "They feel like he's the better fit for the team, better fit for the outcome of us winning. So, you just gotta respect it and keep working. It doesn't undermine any of the other work I've been putting in."
Anthony Richardson on losing the quarterback battle: pic.twitter.com/6lpfRNkie8
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) August 19, 2025
Despite rolling with Jones for now, the Colts are also still reportedly committed to Richardson in the long term. The team's general manager, Chris Ballard, told The Athletic in July that the Colts are not "giving up" on Richardson, and they're committed to having patience with the young passer moving forward.
“I just think eventually Anthony’s going to be who we think he can be,” Ballard told The Athletic. “I still believe that. Whether that’s this year or next, I don’t know when it’s going to happen.”
That story also noted how the Colts were "in a hurry" to play Richardson his rookie year, hoping to find the answer to their QB questions, until injuries and turnover issues plagued the new passer.
"He just doesn’t know yet,” Ballard told The Athletic. “He didn’t have enough experience, both from a play standpoint but also a professional standpoint of how to get ready.”
Given Ballard and the Colts' commitment to developing Richardson, even if it takes longer than the 2025 season, the quarterback's future in Indianapolis doesn't appear to be in limbo. Richardson is still very much considered young, as he's the same age as recent No. 1 pick Cam Ward, so there's plenty of time for him to pan out as the star the Colts hoped he would be.
His agent, Deiric Jackson, expressed frustration with the way the organization handled the decision, believing the move to have damaged the side's credibility.
"Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now," Jackson said. "Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp."
Unless Jones leads Indianapolis on a surprise run toward the playoffs, there's also still a decent chance Richardson sees game action in 2025. Head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday that Jones is "the starting QB for the season," but if the team struggles once again in 2025, it's still easy to envision Indianapolis giving Richardson more chances to perform in a lower-pressure environment.
Steichen said Tuesday that it's "hard to say" if he sees a future for Richardson in Indianapolis, but noted that the Florida product is always one injury to Jones away from stepping back in.
"Obviously, Daniel (Jones) is our starter right now," Steichen said. "And if something happens to Daniel at some point, AR gets another opportunity.”
I asked Shane Steichen if he sees a future for Anthony Richardson, who’s been benched twice, to start again for the #Colts:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 19, 2025
“That’s hard to say. Obviously, Daniel (Jones) is our starter right now. And if something happens to Daniel at some point, AR gets another opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/yjvMliGhNP
In the long term, perhaps Richardson winds up needing a change of scenery after a rough start to his career, but the Colts' decision to start Jones isn't completely a sign that they're giving up on their former first-round pick.
MORE: Creating potential trade packages for Bengals star Trey Hendrickson
Anthony Richardson injury history
Injuries have played a significant role in Richardson's less-than-ideal start to his career. Those injuries date back to his time at Florida, as Richardson has always been a running quarterback who has taken some big hits.
According to DraftSharks, Richardson dealt with one concussion and a meniscus tear while in college. Since he was drafted in April 2023, here are the other injuries Richardson has dealt with:
- Concussion, September 2023 (Missed one game)
- Shoulder A/C Joint Sprain, October 2023 (Missed rest of season)
- Hip Sprain, September 2024 (Missed one game)
- Back Lower Lumbar Sprain, December 2024 (Missed two games)
- Shoulder A/C Joint Sprain, May 2025 (During OTAs)
- Right Pinky Finger Dislocation, August 2025 (During preseason)
MORE: Browns name Joe Flacco Week 1 starter on loaded QB depth chart
Colts QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Daniel Jones |
| 2 | Anthony Richardson |
| 3 | Riley Leonard |
| 4 | Jason Bean |
Jones has officially locked in the Colts' starting job, which means Richardson will presumptively become the backup option to begin the 2025 season.
Jones signed a one-year deal with Indianapolis in March after he finished the 2024 season in Minnesota following a release from the Giants. Should Jones get injured, or if the Colts begin the 2025 season poorly, there remains a chance that Richardson gets his next shot at holding onto the QB1 job.
Former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and former Kansas QB Jason Bean have been competing to be Indianapolis' No. 3 quarterback as roster cuts soon begin for NFL squads. Leonard is viewed as the favorite, as the Colts used a draft pick on him in April and he's seen some preseason snaps.