INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts wanted someone to challenge quarterback Anthony Richardson to his first job.
They chose Daniel Jones.
The former New York Giants starter agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Free agents cannot sign until Wednesday, so someone who speaks to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity said Jones’ deal is worth up to $17.7 million.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard predicted that this kind of move was in work when he told reporters that the NFL’s annual Scouting Combined Indy would compete “open” for work.
“I think it’s good for the team, I think it’s good for Anthony,” Ballard said in late February. “Look, we drafted Anthony High and knew it would take some time. We knew there would be hiccups along the way.”
Jones is the 2019 sixth overall pick by the Giants, who went 24-44-1 in New York with one playoff victory, and will have the opportunity to prove he can still be a league starter. He finished last season as a Vikings backup after the Giants released him.
It looks like Minnesota is set to start JJ McCarthy, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury. Sam DarnoldWhat led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record agreed to a deal with Seattle on Monday.
Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, but has struggled with both injuries and accuracy in his first two NFL seasons. He’s only 8-7 as a starter, and last season he was the lowest completion rate among NFL starting quarterbacks, 47.7%. In two seasons, Richardson has 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
Coach Shane Steichen also gave Richardson the bench for two games, as he was tired, after he left the game for one play. Some teammates publicly criticized Richardson’s decision. He was revived as a starter when he said he saw Richardson show the growth that Stichen wanted.
“I think consistency is the biggest thing,” Stitchen said in February when asked where he wanted to see Richardson’s biggest improvements in 2025. He played 15 games, played 11 last year and did really good things, but he’s just looking for consistency, right? ”
But even if Richardson wins the competition, Jones may still have the opportunity to prove himself again. Richardson only played four games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending injury to the throw shoulder.
He missed four additional games last season due to injuries.
It’s not the first time a Colts quarterback has taken advantage of such an opportunity.
Gardner Minshew led the Colts into the playoffs in 2023, creating a Pro Bowl roster and signing a free-agent deal with Las Vegas.
Last season, the Colts brought in 39-year-old Joe Fraco, the 2023 AP Comeback Player of the Year. He was 2-4 with six starts and relieved Richardson in two other games.
The Colts had four-year veteran Sam Ehringer on the roster and rookie Jason Bean, who was not drafted to the practice team in 2024.
While Ballard and Steichen respectively believe that Richardson can still fulfill the possibilities he saw with the strong armed 6-foot-4, 244-pound star in Florida, they also believe that real competition and a healthy offseason can facilitate Richardson’s learning process.
“We all want to see the finished product right now,” Ballard said at the Combine. “I do, you do, fans do. We all do. But as he continues to progress, I think adding competition will help everyone’s game.”
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AP Pro football writer Rob Maddy contributed to this report.
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