Daniel Jones Week 1 Starter, Anthony Richardson Benched Again
The Indianapolis Colts have made a surprising call at quarterback: **Daniel Jones will start Week 1**, with former top-five pick Anthony Richardson heading to the sidelines.
The decision marks a stunning twist in Richardson’s young career. Drafted fourth overall in 2023 to be the face of the franchise, the ex-Florida Gator has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, missing 19 games across his first two seasons. His latest setback came in the Colts’ preseason opener, when he exited in the first quarter with another injury.
Jones, meanwhile, has engineered an unlikely comeback. Released by the Giants midway through last season after six turbulent years, the former Duke Blue Devil spent time as a backup in Minnesota before landing a one-year, \$14 million deal with Indianapolis this offseason. Initially viewed as veteran insurance, he quickly turned the quarterback competition into a genuine battle during training camp.
When Richardson went down against Buffalo in preseason, Jones seized the moment, throwing for **144 yards on 10-of-21 passing** and showing enough poise to convince head coach Shane Steichen he could lead the team out of the gates.
For Richardson, the benching is the latest dent in a rocky start to his NFL career. Last year, he was even pulled from a drive after signaling he was too tired to continue — a moment that raised questions about his durability and readiness.
Jones, by contrast, has a rare opportunity to revive his career. Once written off after flaming out in New York, he’ll now get another chance to prove he can be a long-term starter in the league. A strong season could set him up for a lucrative payday next offseason.
The Colts, once again, enter Week 1 with more questions than answers at quarterback — but for now, the ball is in Daniel Jones’ hands.
