The Colts will likely bring in competition to challenge and push Anthony Richardson for the starter’s role in 2025.
Indianapolis Colts: Determining Anthony Richardson’s status
Without question, Richardson will be one of the NFL players under the most scrutiny in 2025. His sophomore season was a topsy-turvy one that ended in only a 62.2 PFF overall grade — leaving Indianapolis with lingering long-term concerns.
As of now, the assumption appears that Richardson will get another shot at being the starter next season. After all, he did play slightly better following his benching, recording 74.7 PFF overall and 70.3 PFF passing grades from Weeks 11-16. But two straight poor starts, injury questions and even leadership have become inextricable from Richardson.
The Colts will need to add another backup to Richardson with Joe Flacco hitting free agency, but the key question is how aggressive they want to be in that quarterback market. Signing someone like Russell Wilson could easily signal a shift back to QB2 status for Richardson, while an option like Jameis Winston could cultivate more of a competition. Whatever moves general manager Chris Ballard makes at quarterback next to Richardson will speak volumes about how the organization feels.
Longtime general manager Chris Ballard has already indicated at his end-of-season press conference that the franchise will be looking to bring in starting competition to push Richardson this offseason—who arguably began last season ‘too casual’ as the starter and has some ongoing durability concerns, having sustained a myriad of injuries to-date:
GM Ballard on Colts QB situation:
“We’ve got to have competition at the position just for the fact that, one, competition makes everybody better. And then, two, [Anthony Richardson] has not proven he can play 17 games.”
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) February 12, 2025
While it seems unlikely that veteran free agent backup and spot starter Joe Flacco will return next year, given his age at 40-years-old and the fact that he didn’t help quell the Colts leadership concerns, it seems likely that the Colts could bring in at least a top backup to push Richardson in both training camp (and potentially preseason) this offseason.
That could come in the form of someone like veteran Russell Wilson, but I think it’s more likely it comes in the form of more of a top league backup such as Justin Fields, Jacoby Brissett, or Jameis Winston (who PFF mentions here).
The Colts need someone proven enough to challenge Richardson for the job, but the goal should still be for him to ultimately win the job outright. That means that more established veterans like Aaron Rodgers or even Sam Darnold are likely off the table this offseason.
It’s shaping up to be a ‘make-or-break’ year for Richardson in Indianapolis, so the Colts need to have the proper roster competition behind him to ensure he earns the job on the merit, and his offseason focus and preparation remains fully right.
