Anthony Richardson’s pursuit of the Colts’ starting quarterback job took an early hit — literally — when he was knocked out of the team’s preseason opener last week with a finger injury. Jones, however, failed to separate himself, setting the stage for a critical second showing on Saturday.
After avoiding serious injury, Richardson arrived at Saturday’s game looking for redemption. The third-year quarterback has had an up-and-down training camp, according to reports, impressing with some booming throws while missing others. That’s what the Colts have come to expect from Richardson, but their hope is he can soon make a long-awaited leap.
New Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said during Saturday’s game that she believes the competition between Richardson and Jones has brought the best out of each quarterback. “Shane [Steichen] is going to have to make a tough decision, but I feel confident he’s going to make the right decision,” she said.
After Saturday’s game, Steichen said he is “very close” to a quarterback decision and would like to make a decision soon.
Richardson and Jones entered Saturday locked in a tight battle to start for the Colts in Week 1. Did either quarterback separate himself?
Here’s an updated look at the Colts’ quarterback depth chart after Saturday’s preseason game against the Packers.
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Colts QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1 | Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones |
| 2 | Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones |
| 3 | Riley Leonard |
| 4 | Jason Bean |
The Colts’ most recent unofficial depth chart lists both Richardson and Jones as co-starters. Richardson started Indianapolis’ preseason opener while Jones started Saturday’s contest against the Packers, so coach Shane Steichen isn’t showing his hand when it comes to which quarterback, if any, he favors.
Former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and former Kansas QB Jason Bean are competing to be Indianapolis’ No. 3 quarterback, with Leonard the favorite after the Colts used a draft pick on him in April. Leonard also entered Saturday’s game third, coming in after Richardson’s day was done.
Richardson and Jones both played fairly well and avoided mistakes on Saturday, but neither decisively went out and took the job. Here’s a closer look at how each quarterback performed.
MORE: Tracking the Browns’ QB battle after second preseason game
Anthony Richardson stats vs. Packers
- Completions/Attempts: 6/11
- Passing yards: 73
- Touchdowns: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Rushing attempts: 1
- Rushing yards: 9
The final numbers on Richardson’s day don’t jump off the page, but the third-year QB had some promising moments — including a 38-yard completion to Anthony Gould that was erased by a penalty on his final drive of the day.
Richardson went 5-of-6 for 64 yards on a touchdown drive in his first action of the day, showing the kind of poise and accuracy that the Colts have been looking for. After a Packers fumble set up the Colts just outside of the red zone, however, Richardson went 1-of-4 and failed to get Indianapolis to 1st-and-goal, let alone into the end zone.
Richardson’s best pass of the day was the one that didn’t count, and he largely avoided crushing mistakes. The former No. 4 pick didn’t flash his mobility often after exiting last week’s game with a finger injury, but he did absorb one sack.
MORE: Shedeur Sanders oblique injury recovery timeline: How long Browns rookie will be out
Anthony Richardson highlights
Anthony Richardson placed this deep ball perfectly
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dPQXQl1dc4
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Daniel Jones stats vs. Packers
- Completions/Attempts: 7/11
- Passing yards: 101
- Touchdowns: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Rushing attempts: 1
- Rushing yards: 0
- Fumbles: 1
Jones showed flashes in Saturday’s game, starting out with 19-yard pass to Mo Alie-Cox and later hitting Tyler Warren and Michael Pittman Jr. for big gains. Jones notably got to work with the Colts’ starting weapons, while Richardson saw work with the second team.
The lowest moment for Jones was a near disaster on his first drive, when he fumbled but was able to recover. Jones dealt with ball security issues during his time with the Giants.
After a mostly inaccurate Colts debut, Jones was more efficient and avoided turnovers against Green Bay — though a touchdown drive eluded him. Was it enough to separate himself? Richardson and Jones seem about even to this point, and one would have to think a tie would favor Richardson given what the Colts have invested in him.
Daniel Jones highlights
Tyler Warren down the sideline from Daniel Jones!
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/S0wrhDePFD
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
