The Colts didn’t get much clarity from their first preseason game, and that was especially true in the quarterback room. With Daniel Jones not expected to play against the New England Patriots and possibly not at all in the preseason, the spotlight was there for Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson. Neither one made a clean grab for the backup job.
Indianapolis and New England finished tied 13-13, but the bigger story was how little either quarterback separated himself. Richardson started the game and didn’t do enough to look like the answer behind Jones. His interception wasn’t entirely on him, but the rest of his night didn’t leave much to sell.
Leonard had the first real chance to push past that competition, and he didn’t take it. If anything, his outing was even quieter than Richardson’s.
That doesn’t knock him out of the race, though. If anything, Leonard may still be in the better spot simply because Richardson may be giving the job away.
The former sixth-round pick looked shaky from the start and uncomfortable in the second half. The only stretch that offered much of anything came late, when Leonard helped put together two drives that ended with second-half field goals. He completed several short throws to Raylen Sharpe and added an 11-yard run, which was enough to close the night on a more respectable note.
Before that, the numbers were rough. Leonard finished 10-for-21 for 89 passing yards, with one interception and one fumble.
Richardson also had an interception and a fumble, which only added to the muddled picture. Leonard’s first two possessions to open the second half went three-and-out, and he never really found a rhythm.
The Patriots’ pressure made life difficult, but Leonard still couldn’t settle in and handle it. So the first swing at locking down the backup job didn’t land. Still, Richardson didn’t seize the opening either.
That leaves Leonard in a strange but workable position. He doesn’t have to be spectacular to win the role, just a little better than Richardson.
And right now, the former first-round rookie doesn’t look like he’s ready to clear that bar. Leonard still has a path here.
What happens next may depend as much on Richardson as on Leonard himself.
In Other News...
Colts Just Got Linked To A Veteran WR They Still Might Need
A few days before the regular season kicks off, the Giants made a surprising move by releasing veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton, their longest-tenured player. Slayton had been a steady part of that offense for years and delivered a productive run in New York, even if his 2025 season was less impactful than some of the others that came before it.
For a Colts team still sorting out its receiving depth, Slaytons availability is the kind of late-market wrinkle worth watching. Several NFL teams could have interest, but Indianapolis stands out as one of the clubs that could use another proven option if it decides the room still needs a veteran presence before Week 1. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Rookie Class Is Already Creating A Few Tough Early Decisions
The Colts have kept all eight of their 2026 draft picks and one undrafted free agent on the 53-man roster, a sign that the rookie class has already pushed its way into the conversation before the real roster decisions even settle. There is real depth here, and that has made the early picture more interesting than just who made the team and who did not.
Rookie linebackers CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher are in position to back up the defense, but their rotational roles are still being sorted out, while safety A.J. Haulcys injury status adds another layer to the secondary. On offense, Seth McGowan has already carved out a backup job behind Jonathan Taylor, giving the Colts a young runner who can help right away as the rest of the rookie group waits to see how much responsibility follows next. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A Week 1 Boost Baltimore Had To Notice
Alec Pierce is trending toward being available when the Colts open against Baltimore, which matters more than it might for a typical Week 1 receiver decision. After missing most of training camp while recovering from ankle surgery, Pierce has worked his way back into full-team practice, moving from positional drills to full offensive participation as Indianapolis starts to round into shape for the opener.
Shane Steichen said Pierce is feeling good and should keep getting more reps before the game, a sign the Colts are at least preparing as if he will have a role right away. For an offense that wants to get off on the right foot against a familiar AFC opponent, having Pierce back in the mix gives Indianapolis a clearer picture heading into Sunday, even if the final workload still needs to be sorted out. [Read more 🡒]