Ex-Vikings QB Could Land the Big Job
Six months ago, the Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Daniel Jones as an insurance policy for Sam Darnold, as Kevin O’Connell’s team barreled toward the postseason.
One former Vikings QB is now tentatively in line to snag a QB1 job that didn’t seem possible a couple of months ago.
Jones never actually played because Darnold remained upright, and soon after, both men split via free agency — Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks and Jones to the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones figured to play QB2 behind third-year passer Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis, but that theory was flipped on its head Thursday.
Richardson is dealing with a significant shoulder injury.
Anthony Richardson Sidelined by Shoulder Injury in IND
NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons wrote Thursday, “There’s been a development in the Colts’ quarterback competition. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Thursday that Anthony Richardson will not participate in OTAs this week or minicamp next week with a right shoulder injury. Via James Boyd of TheAthletic.com, Steichen noted that Richardson’s injury is to the same AC joint that he injured previously.”
“While surgery is not anticipated at the moment, Steichen noted that the plan is for Richardson to return “at some point” in training camp. But there is no timeline. With Richardson sidelined, Daniel Jones will be able to take more snaps for the rest of the offseason program and potentially in training camp. That could give him a leg up to supplant Richardson as QB1 to start the 2025 season.”
The news puts Richardson on the shelf indefinitely and shoves Jones firmly in line to win the QB1 job this summer.
Daniel Jones as the Next Man Up
Some have forecasted that Jones might win the quarterback competition outright, regardless of injury to Richardson. Those predictions looks pretty nifty right about now.
In fact, Indianapolis signed Jones for this very reason, hedging the bet against Richardson’s development and ever-present injury history.
Unless the Colts want to sign Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz (again), or trade for Kirk Cousins, for example, Jones will be on tap as the Colts’ starting quarterback if he earns most summer practice, training camp, and preseason snaps.
A Brutal Development for Richardson
The news could not be worse for Richardson.
Indianapolis drafted him in 2023 from Round 1 as a raw talent who would need time to hit his groove. Year No. 3 was setting up as a tell-all campaign about his career trajectory, and if a shoulder injury ruins his summer, paving the way for a Jones takeover, Richardson may never see the QB1 post in Indianapolis again.
Of course, Jones is not a God among men, but if he wins the QB1 job and Indianapolis wins games in 2025, Richardson will probably be on the chopping block before too long. Jones is young enough — 27 — to latch onto the Colts’ roster as a long-term starter, not unlike Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay.
Keep an Eye on Richardson Down the Line for Vikings
The Vikings allegedly enjoyed Richardson’s scouting report leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Some theories even claimed that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah explored a trade up the draftboard for him.
Because Kevin O’Connell can cook with just about anyone, keep an eye on Richardson as a Vikings’ QB2 option down the line — a classic O’Connell reclamation project.
More on Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson
Indy Star‘s Joel Erickson wrote about the budding Richardson situation, “Jones will now take the lead in the quarterback race. For the next two weeks of the team’s offseason — the Colts wrap up their offseason program with the team’s mandatory minicamp — but likely the early weeks of training camp. Steichen said the team believes Richardson will be back “at some point” in training camp, but not for the start. Jones, the former No. 6 pick who led the Giants to the playoffs before his tenure took a downward turn, has impressed the Colts to start.”
“The injury is a blow for Richardson, who has responded in the past to questions about the criticism that he’s injury-prone by saying he understands it, and he’d hoped to prove people wrong. A lingering shoulder injury is a difficult blow for the young quarterback. The early returns on Richardson this offseason had been good.”
Richardson is still just 23 years old.
Erickson added, “What Richardson’s injury means for the quarterback competition is impossible to tell right now, particularly considering that there is no timetable for Richardson’s return from a shoulder injury that no one saw coming. Because of the uncertain nature of Richardson’s injury, it’s tough to predict when he’ll be back to compete for the starting job.”
Colts mandatory minicamp — without Richardson — gets underway next week.
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