The Colts still had a few roster calls to settle before their preseason finale, but the backup quarterback job had become the one that mattered most. With Daniel Jones locked in as the starter, Indianapolis needed to know who could handle the offense if Jones’ injury history forced him off the field.
That competition had been framed around Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard, with Shane Steichen saying the two came into camp essentially even. By the time the preseason wrapped, though, the separation was hard to miss.
Richardson clearly put together the stronger case over the three-game stretch. He threw it more accurately, protected the ball better and was far more effective as a runner. The tools that made him such a high-profile pick are still there, but the encouraging part for Indianapolis is that his decision-making and passing touch looked like they were moving in the right direction too.
Leonard, meanwhile, never really got traction. His preseason line left the Colts with plenty to worry about: four turnovers and a completion rate under 50%. That’s not the kind of résumé that convinces a team to hand over the offense if the starter goes down.
The final tune-up against the Detroit Lions made the gap even clearer. Richardson went 7 of 10 and looked composed from the start, while Leonard finished 3-for-7 and threw an interception. It was Richardson’s last chance to make his point, and he did exactly that.
Indianapolis also gave Richardson snaps with the starters, which said plenty about where the staff’s confidence sat. Leonard didn’t do enough in the game to change that picture.
Steichen has been looking for a backup who can stack steady outings and be relied on to keep the offense moving. Richardson is still a work in progress, but he looked comfortable under center in a way that makes him the stronger option right now.
For Richardson, it’s a sharp turnaround. After another injury-shortened season and a formal trade request in February, his future in Indianapolis looked shaky. Now he’s not only still here, he appears to have won the trust of the coaching staff as the Colts’ top backup at the most important position on the field.
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Colts Make An Early QB Call That Will Shape This Season
The Colts have made an early quarterback decision that gives a clearer picture of how they plan to open the 2026 season, with Anthony Richardson Sr. set to begin as the backup behind the starter. Shane Steichen said the choice was driven by preseason performance, a straightforward football call that carries plenty of weight for a team still sorting out its long-term answer under center.
It also comes against a busy early-week backdrop for Indianapolis, with Keenan Allen expected to be available for Week 1 despite a recent legal matter and Alec Pierce back in full practice after working through an ankle and heel injury. The Colts have also settled on their five captains and are still managing a few other injury situations, so while the quarterback pecking order is now clearer, the bigger roster picture is still settling into place. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardsons Colts Future Just Took A Surprising Turn
Anthony Richardson Sr. is staying put in Indianapolis, and for now hes moving into a different spot on the quarterback depth chart. The Colts have settled on Daniel Jones as the starter, with Richardson backing him up and Riley Leonard serving as the emergency third quarterback after a competitive offseason and training camp battle that kept the room under a microscope.
Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both confirmed Richardson will remain with the team even after his earlier trade request, a notable turn in a situation that had been drawing plenty of attention around the Colts. The decision leaves Indianapolis with a clear order at quarterback, but it also keeps Richardson in the building, where the next phase of his Colts future will unfold behind Jones. [Read more 🡒]
Colts May Open Week 1 With A Rookie Problem They Didn't Expect
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Haulcy is still working back from an ankle injury and has not practiced recently, while Allen has returned from injury but has not locked down a first-team job. General manager Chris Ballard said Haulcy is progressing, though he would not put a timetable on his return, which leaves the Colts sorting through other options such as Hunter Wohler, Akeen Davis-Gaither and Jaylon Carlies as the opener gets closer. [Read more 🡒]