ESPN analysts on Colts benching Anthony Richardson for Daniel Jones: 'Tough season' ahead
On August 19, the Colts named Daniel Jones their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Louis Riddick and Ryan Clark believe Richardson's response to the benching will go a long way in determining whether he remains in the league long term.
Riddick said Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is going through a "brutal" stretch.
'Anthony is not without responsibility in this. And he knows that, too," Riddick said Wednesday on "Get Up." "He has spoken to that, too. And this is a hell of a hard lesson for him to have to learn. This is going to be a tough season for him. It really is. He's going to have to do some serious soul searching about, 'How do I perfect my process, so I never have to face this, feel this way again?' Because it's got to be brutal.'
Jones and Richardson had similar statistics for most of training camp and in preseason games, but coach Shane Steichen highlighted the consistency of handling situations at the line of scrimmage favoring Jones.
"I think Daniel did a great job doing that," he said. "AR has made strides in that area, but I do think he needs to develop."
Clark agrees with Riddick that this season will challenge Richardson.
'He has to take his professionalism up a level. ... He has to show a level of football character to being the backup that changes not only the mindset for the Colts but the perception of him outside the building.'
Richardson said he had "no hard feelings" over the move. His agent, Deiric Jackson, on Tuesday expressed disappointment, adding: "We have a lot to discuss."
Jones started 69 of the 70 games in which he played for the New York Giants from 2019-24. New York when 24-44-1 in games he started.
He had the NFL's lowest interception percentage (1.1%) in 2022, his one playoff appearance with the Giants (9-6-1). He passed for a career-high 3,205 yards with 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions that season.
Jones had a league-leading 19 fumbles as a rookie in 2019.
Jones signed a one-year contract that counts $14.5 million toward the salary cap on March 11.
Jones attended Duke, where he played from 2016-18, appearing in 36 games, and passing for 8,201 yards, 52 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also rushed for 13,23 yards and 17 TDs.
Jones missed the last 8 games of the 2023 season with an ACL tear. He has also missed 9 games with neck injuries and 7 games with other injuries in his NFL career.
Anthony Richardson suffered a dislocated pinkie on his right hand in the Colts' preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. He missed the rest of that game but did not miss any practice or game time afterward.
Richardson played four games in his rookie season of 2023, missing time first with a concussion and then the rest of the season with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 5 or 6??
Richardson appeared in 11 games in 2024, missing four games because of a back and hip injuries. He was also benched for two games.
Richardson appeared in 24 games at Florida from 2020-22, only playing reguarly in the 2022 season. He completed 54.7% of his passes for 3,105 yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns.
23.
The Colts picked Richardson No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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