It will happen at some point. The question is, for how long?
Daniel Jones was one of the major offseason acquisitions for the Indianapolis Colts. Normally, the backup quarterback doesn’t make many headlines but given the size of his contract and the fact that he will be given a fair chance to win the starting position, Jones’ signing shouldn’t be seen as an afterthought. With a turbulent start to Anthony Richardson’s career and the concerning news regarding his A/C joint flair up, Jones’s name will continue to be in the forefront. Currently, there is no timetable for Richardson to return, and he is even meeting with the doctor who performed the original surgery for a second opinion. That all sounds troubling and allows Jones an opportunity to rise to the moment. Whether it is the opening game or somewhere along the way, expect Jones to start for the Colts in 2025.
Let’s just call it what it is; Richardson can’t stay healthy. He simply can’t. He hasn’t proven he can during his two year career, and this latest news is par for the course. Needing to seek a second opinion from a surgeon the second day into offseason activities is almost laughable; not in a funny “ha ha” way, but in a “can this really be happening” sort of way. The laundry list of injuries is long and the amount of time out of action is reaching an insurmountable level. It is too early to say exactly what this latest issue is, but it is a setback at best. Missing any time is detrimental. He is not an established vet. He is a quarterback with one year of true action under his belt. Being away for any stretch of time continues to put him at a severe disadvantage.
Enter Daniel Jones.
Jones isn’t a quarterback that is going to jump off the page and make fans clamor for more necessarily, but he has experience and can stay healthier than Richardson. The greatest ability is availability. If Richardson can’t ramp up in time, continues to miss time, suffers more injuries, and can’t perform up to standards because of any of the above, he will watch his playing time disappear. Jones isn’t so far away from competency that if he gets the starting role, don’t look for him to give it back. He knows this could be his last shot to impress. That is why he came to the Colts. He saw a vulnerable quarterback who can’t stay on the field. Expect him to take full advantage of the situation.
Give a NFL player a chance at a starting role and they will do everything in their power to seize the moment. Given Anthony Richardson’s setback to kick off the offseason, it is easy to imagine a scenario where an injury happens again. Daniel Jones will be ready. He understands how valuable those first team snaps and opportunities are. We may not see him opening day, but expect Jones to suit up as the starter at some point. The only question is whether he will give the role back once he takes it.
