Colts Quarterback Crisis Deepens After Week 14 Loss: Where Do They Go From Here?
The Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 season has taken another brutal turn, and this one might be the toughest blow yet. In a Week 14 matchup that was supposed to be a pivotal AFC South showdown, the Colts didn’t just lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars - they lost control of the division and, more importantly, their quarterback.
Daniel Jones, who had taken over under center after Anthony Richardson Sr. was placed on Injured Reserve, suffered a torn Achilles. He’s now out for the season, leaving the Colts scrambling at the most important position in football with just weeks left in the regular season.
Enter rookie Riley Leonard - a sixth-round pick who was suddenly thrust into action against one of the league’s more aggressive defenses. And to his credit, Leonard didn’t look overwhelmed.
In fact, he exceeded expectations for a rookie making his first real NFL appearance. But any momentum he might’ve built is now on hold.
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Leonard is dealing with a right knee injury, putting his availability in serious doubt moving forward.
That leaves the Colts in a precarious spot. With Richardson out, Jones done for the year, and Leonard banged up, the only healthy quarterback currently available is veteran Brett Rypien, who’s been on the practice squad. Rypien is a capable professional, but starting him down the stretch - especially with playoff hopes still technically alive - feels more like survival mode than a competitive push.
The Colts May Need to Get Creative - Fast
With the trade deadline long gone and the free-agent market picked clean, Indianapolis is running out of conventional options. Even if Rypien starts, the team still needs a legitimate backup - someone with a pulse and a playbook grasp, not just an emergency body.
One potential solution? Look to Philadelphia.
Kyle McCord, another rookie sixth-rounder, is currently stashed on the Eagles’ practice squad. He was drafted just eight picks ahead of Leonard and might be the most realistic upgrade the Colts can make at this point in the season.
The Eagles, for their part, have a crowded quarterback room behind Jalen Hurts, with Sam Howell and Tanner McKee both on the active roster. That depth could make McCord expendable.
There’s also a connection worth noting: Steichen spent years in Philadelphia before taking the Colts job, and that familiarity might help facilitate a move. If Indy does decide to make a run at McCord, those relationships could be key.
What McCord Could Bring to Indy
Let’s be clear - McCord didn’t light the world on fire in the preseason. He had his struggles, as most rookies do, but improved as the games went on.
And while he’s not a dual-threat quarterback, he does offer enough mobility to fit the kind of offense Steichen wants to run. Given the circumstances, that might be enough.
What makes Indianapolis an intriguing landing spot for a young quarterback like McCord isn’t just the opportunity - it’s the supporting cast. The Colts boast one of the league’s top offensive lines, a dominant running back, and a group of pass-catchers that can make life easier on a QB. Add in Steichen’s quarterback-friendly system, and you’ve got a situation where a young player could step in and at least keep the offense functional.
What’s Next?
The hope, of course, is that Leonard’s knee injury isn’t serious and he can return soon - or that Rypien can hold the fort long enough to keep the Colts’ playoff hopes alive. And if Richardson somehow makes it back before season’s end, that changes the equation entirely.
But if things continue trending in the wrong direction, the Colts may have no choice but to make a move. And right now, Kyle McCord might be the most viable option sitting out there - waiting for a call, waiting for a shot.
The clock is ticking in Indianapolis. And with the AFC South still within reach, even after a crushing loss, the next quarterback decision could determine whether the Colts stay in the hunt - or fade into the background.