Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones struggle to find rhythm on Day 1 of Colts QB battle

New York Times

5 days ago

WESTFIELD, Ind. — The cheers were impossible to ignore.
After quarterback Daniel Jones finished his first 11-on-11 period on the first day of Indianapolis Colts training camp Wednesday, several fans in the crowd perked up in their seats and began shouting as Anthony Richardson replaced him with the second unit.
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'Let's go, A.R.!' a fan screamed. 'You got this, A.R.!' another yelled.
Jones didn't receive the same level of vocal support, which is understandable. Jones is the new guy in town trying to prove himself and supplant the old guy, Richardson, who really isn't old at all. The 23-year-old is entering just his third season with the franchise. So far, however, his tenure hasn't lived up to his billing as the 2023 No. 4 pick. Injuries have limited him to just 15 games, while his poor play when on the field has many around the league questioning his viability as a franchise QB.
Richardson's struggles have opened the door for Jones to potentially supplant him as QB1 in Indy. But judging by the applause Richardson received when he took his first snap behind center Wednesday, there are still several fans who believe he can blossom into the face of the franchise.
'I know this city loves and supports me,' Richardson said. 'I just gotta do my part (and) make sure I do everything in my power to be the quarterback that they want me to be and need me to be. So, it definitely feels good, but I can't let it get to my head.
'I still got a lot of work to do, and I still gotta get that (starting) job. … Work not done.'
Anthony to Anthony. 👀 pic.twitter.com/qkk3hNXEKA
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 23, 2025
That work resumed Wednesday for Richardson, who was shut down from throwing May 29 after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Richardson said all he needed was rest, and he was never too concerned about whether he'd be available for the start of training camp. The Colts, however, have elected to ease him back into team activities. Richardson did not participate in all the individual drills Wednesday, which Colts coach Shane Steichen said was intended to limit his overall workload, but Richardson and Jones did split reps in all the team activities.
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'They will both get reps with the (first unit) every day just because we have third-down day, and we don't want one guy to get all the reps of third downs and then (the) same thing with red zone,' Steichen said. 'So, you'll see that back and forth.'
Steichen met with both quarterbacks on the eve of training camp Tuesday and emphasized the need for 'consistency' when they're running his offense. The coach said he doesn't have a specific timeline for when he'd like to name a starter, and based on what Jones and Richardson displayed Wednesday, neither likely swayed his mind on Day 1.
#Colts camp day 1 recap! pic.twitter.com/wayt8El859
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 23, 2025
Both QBs played 16 reps with the starters in 11-on-11 drills, and both struggled to find a rhythm. Jones quarterbacked the first two team periods with the first unit while Richardson stepped in with the starters for the final two. Richardson finished 4-of-11 passing during 11-on-11 periods, but that included one drop each from wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Ashton Dulin, and another drop by running back Jonathan Taylor. The third-year quarterback also struggled with his anticipation and accuracy, which have been themes throughout his career, though it's worth noting that Richardson is still ramping his shoulder back up.
Despite the setback with his shoulder in the spring, Richardson looked noticeably slimmer to kick off training camp. Richardson said he lost weight this offseason, dropping from roughly 250 pounds last season to 240 this year so he can be better conditioned for what his dual-threat QB skills require. The young signal caller added that he focused heavily on intermediate throws ahead of his third season, — excluding, obviously, when he rested his shoulder this spring — since 'everyone knows' he can easily push the ball downfield.
'I feel like that will help our offense progress, and that will help us move the ball more,' Richardson said. 'I was really working on that, working on my footwork, trying to make sure I am calm and ready to deliver the ball wherever it needs to be.'
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Jones, meanwhile, finished 6-of-7 passing during full team periods Wednesday. However, one of those completions came on a batted ball that Jones himself caught behind the line of scrimmage. The seventh-year QB bounced back in the final team period with the highlight of the day, connecting with wide receiver Anthony Gould on an anticipatory deep ball down the sideline that drew a roar from the crowd.
Going for Gould. pic.twitter.com/BI5HYxisYX
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 23, 2025
Asked how he keeps a level head amid a QB competition, Jones said he 'continues burying himself in his craft.' The 28-year-old, alongside Richardson, took a trip to the West Coast earlier this summer to bond with his new teammates.
'There's so much work to do, especially for me learning the system, getting to know the guys, communication with coaches,' Jones said. 'I think there's plenty to kind of stay busy with and focus on that.'
Jones was intercepted by veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II in 7-on-7, a throw he described as a 'bad decision' since his late delivery allowed Moore to jump the route. Richardson was nearly intercepted, too, as second-year cornerback Alex Johnson made a great play on Richardson's throw during 7-on-7s. Both QBs said they must be sharper as training camp heats up.
'Of course, I am competing with Daniel, but I am also competing with myself, trying to be the better version of myself than I was last year,' Richardson said. 'There are definitely things I could have worked on last year, so I am trying to improve on that and make sure I'm just available for the team whenever they need me.'