Shane Steichen says Anthony Richardson Sr.’s marijuana possession charge had nothing to do with the Colts’ quarterback decision, but ESPN’s Ben Solak isn’t convinced Indianapolis will just move on without consequence.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Steichen was asked whether Richardson’s misdemeanor charge, stemming from a traffic stop in Carmel, Ind., on Oct. 12, played any role in the choice to stick with Daniel Jones as the starter when the 2-5 Colts face the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 1.
“No, it does not, not at all," Steichen said, per Michael Marot of the Associated Press. "I’ve had private conversations with Anthony, and I’ll keep those private."
Solak took a different view in a Tuesday morning piece, forecasting that Riley Leonard, not Richardson, will be Indianapolis’ QB1 by Week 10.
“Richardson faces a misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession following a traffic stop earlier this month,” Solak wrote. “While he faces no imminent punishment from the league -- the legal process has yet to play out -- this is the sort of error that shakes up a QB2 depth chart.”
Richardson didn’t help his case much on Sunday, either. When asked about the legal situation, he said he doesn’t “really regret anything I do.” James Boyd of The Athletic later wrote that Richardson “should be doing everything in his power to give the Colts and any future NFL team a reason to put him back on the field, not a reason to keep him off it.”
There’s also the broader Colts picture to consider. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard after Indianapolis’ Week 6 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans, and Jones could be benched as soon as the Jaguars game if he struggles at EverBank Stadium. DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as 7.5-point road underdogs Tuesday morning.
Solak also pointed to the contract angle, noting that Leonard gives the team more runway if Indianapolis is thinking beyond this season.
“Leonard has the advantage of extra contract years as the Colts look for a bridge starter in 2027; he has two additional seasons of team control after this one, and Richardson is a 2027 free agent,” Solak added.
For now, the only thing that’s certain is uncertainty. It remains to be seen whether Leonard or Richardson will be the Colts’ primary backup against Jacksonville this Sunday.
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