Anthony Richardson Sr. has held onto a job that looked shaky for much of the offseason.
The Indianapolis Colts are keeping Richardson as their backup quarterback, with head coach Shane Steichen announcing Thursday that Daniel Jones will start, Richardson will be QB2 and Riley Leonard will open the season as QB3. It closes a summer-long battle between Richardson and Leonard, who split second- and third-team reps during camp and each got extended chances in the preseason.
Richardson did enough to stay ahead. He went 21-of-33 for 249 yards in the preseason, and that performance kept him in position to be the next man up if Jones goes down.
The decision carries some weight because Richardson’s standing with the team had been uncertain for months. He and his agent asked for a trade in February, but the former No. 4 overall pick stayed put and kept competing for a role.
After being told he had the backup job, Richardson sounded appreciative. He said he was thankful the Colts believed in him enough to promote him to QB2 and that he is ready to work and provide his best self. That tone has matched what the organization has said about him lately, with general manager Chris Ballard repeatedly praising Richardson’s attitude and presence around the team.
For the Colts, the move makes sense on paper. Richardson is still inconsistent, but he brings more physical talent and more experience than Leonard. If Indianapolis needs a backup quarterback, Richardson offers starting experience, elite rushing ability and a higher ceiling right away.
Leonard still has long-term appeal, but asking him to be the primary backup this early would have been a lot. He showed flashes in the Texans regular season game last season, yet this preseason he looked like a quarterback who needs more time. Keeping him at QB3 gives the Colts room to develop him without pushing too fast, and he still profiles as a strong long-term QB2 option.
For Richardson, the bigger question remains the same one that has hovered over him for months: what comes next? QB2 doesn’t make him the franchise quarterback again, and Jones is still firmly the starter.
But it does keep Richardson in the mix. After the trade request, the uncertainty and the competition with Leonard, he has at least settled his place on the roster.
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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 🡒]
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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 🡒]