Vikings QB Castoff Fading Fast with New Team
Back in the spring, and even at mandatory minicamp in June, Daniel Jones seemed to be on a fast track to start for the 2025 Indianapolis Colts.
An ex-Vikings signal-caller is struggling with his new team, falling behind in the battle for a starting job as training camp heats up. It’s a bit to be expected — and surprising at the same time.
The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback benefited from the absence of Anthony Richardson at OTAs and minicamp, as Richardson was recovering from a shoulder injury.
But now Richardson is back — and he might just reclaim his QB1 post.
Watch Out for Anthony Richardson as Colts’ QB1
A training camp battle has turned the tide in July for Indianapolis.
Daniel Jones No Longer Frontrunner to Win QB1 in Indianapolis
Neither Colts quarterback has played very well through a week of training camp.
SI.com‘s Ryan Phillips wrote Tuesday, “The Indianapolis Colts don’t have a quarterback competition, they have a quarterback problem. Last month, reports suggested free agent signing Daniel Jones had an edge on the returning Anthony Richardson, but it appears that is no longer the case.”
“Reports out of Colts training camp suggest Jones has not played well. One would assume that if Jones had been bad during training camp, Richardson would have surpassed him, but that hasn’t happened either. Instead, it appears the Colts are in limbo with two underperforming signal-callers.”
This is not a glorious development for Indianapolis, a club that needs a winning season for Shane Steichen to maintain gainful employment.
Phillips continued, “According to analysis from The Athletic’s James Boyd, Jones has failed to separate himself from Richardson as both quarterbacks have struggled. So far in 11-on-11 drills, Jones is 23-of-41 with one touchdown and an interception. For his part, Richardson is 19-of-43 with two touchdowns and an interception.”
“Richardson reportedly outplayed Jones on Friday, but other than that, both have struggled for the bulk of camp.”
Take those frontrunner theories about Jones and flush them.
Vested Interest in Anthony Richardson
The Colts may have a quiet desire for Richardson to win the battle, possibly influencing the ultimate QB1 decision.
Indianapolis drafted Richardson in Round 1 two years ago, and to date, his inconsistent performance and injury history have thrust his career off to a rocky start. Richardson, of course, has delivered a few masterful plays — throws that hardly any player can make — but he has not set the world on fire.
The injuries, too, have stifled his development. When he gets cooking, hinting at consistency, well, he hits the shelf.
If Richardson can mature and develop, avoiding the infirmary, life is just easier for the Colts, knowing the 1st-Round pick in 2023 was worth it.
The Draft Pick Angle
From a Vikings standpoint, fans want Jones to succeed. The more he plays, the chances of Minnesota netting a better compensatory draft pick climb. Minnesota can earn up to a 4th-Round pick if Jones plays close to over 60% of offensive snaps in Indianapolis. Two months ago, that felt like a safe bet.
A Richardson takeover, though, would likely slide the Jones compensatory pick back into Round 5.
Therefore, if you are a Vikings fan, you are a Daniel Jones fan in 2025. At least until he plays three-fifths of offensive snaps.
Jones’ Brief Career in Minnesota
Minnesota scooped Jones midseason in 2024 when the New York Giants cut ties. Jones never played a single snap for the purple team, but he represented an insurance policy in case an injury rattled then QB1 Sam Darnold.
The Vikings elevated Jones for their Wild Card playoff game in January against the Los Angeles Rams, and based on how poorly Darnold played, they comically might’ve been better off with Jones.
Then, during the offseason, Minnesota reportedly wanted Jones back from another year of insurance policy duty, but he chose the Colts, thinking he could win the QB1 job here. Stay tuned for that fateful decision.
Other Jones Takes
Horseshoe Heroes‘ Mike Luciano echoed the SI.com reporting this week, “After Jones seemed to be the early leader in the clubhouse, reports from Indianapolis training camp seem to suggest that Richardson is starting to overtake him. Anthony Richardson is looking sharper than Daniel Jones at Colts practice. Even with a strong camp, picking the starter may come down to Steichen’s personal preference.”
“If a head coach on the hot seat wants a more accurate pocket passer, Jones may win out. Richardson could be QB1 if Steichen is craving upside and potential. Arm talent will never be the question with Richardson.”
Indeed, Richardson winning the battle is just better business for the Colts. Plain and simple.
“Even if he never becomes a particularly accurate quarterback, getting that completion percentage close to 60% (a la Cam Newton) is an absolute necessity for a player who is already on thin ice with this coaching staff,” Luciano added.
“It would be better for the Colts organization as a whole if Richardson finally starts to live up to the immense potential that his base level of physical talent. The early signs from Colts camp are encouraging, though Richardson will need to prove himself in live game action.”
The Colts should declare a QB1 in about 3-4 weeks.
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