It’s been quite obvious that the Indianapolis Colts haven’t been able to nail the quarterback position since Andrew Luck’s unexpected retirement. From Jacoby Brissett to Anthony Richardson, the results have been poor to put it mildly. While other facets of the team have been talented enough for the Colts to be common playoff contenders, the expectation of them even winning a wildcard game has been far-fetched for some time.
Now that Head Coach Shane Steichen declared Daniel Jones will be their 2025 starting quarterback, surrounded by a hodgepodge of talent, where does that leave the Colts in 2025? Find out below, and for more offseason content, check out my profile HERE.
Indianapolis Colts 2025 Preview
Anthony Richardson: Raw Talent Meets Steep Development Curve
Everyone knew what to expect after the Colts drafted Richardson: immense physical talent with plenty of development needed. Nearly exactly Cam Newton’s size, Richardson’s combination of athleticism, size, and arm power comes around only once or twice in a generation. It’s easy to see how general manager Chris Ballard fell in love with him.
Drafting such a player comes with caveats. Due to the lack of experience (13 games started at the University of Florida) and well-below average mechanics, leading to a 54.7 completion percentage, Richardson needed to put major work in to reach his potential. While his work ethic has improved recently, comments like this from Steichen call Richardson’s preparation into question, just after he was reinserted into the lineup in Week 11 of last season after being benched:
“The process…attention to detail in everything…from the classrooms, to the walk-throughs, to practice, to the weight room, all those little things have just got to be at a higher standard,” said the Colts’ Head Coach.
Another incident, where he tapped out of a game live because he was tired in his rookie season, highlights the need for him to become more professional and a leader that the team can depend on. He took strides in that direction this offseason, as Colts Quarterbacks Coach Cam Turner noted, though he also said that “the consistency’s just not where we wanted it to be.” He’s not wrong to make that statement – since entering the league, his completion percentage has been 50.6 percent, with an 11:13 touchdown to interception ratio; both ranking among the league’s worst.
Going into Richardson’s third season, the Colts knew they had to bring in competition, and that’s exactly what they did.
What’s the Colts’ Current Quarterback Situation?
By signing Daniel Jones this free agency to a one-year, 14 million dollar deal, the Colts got a great insurance policy at the worst, or a guy who can be a low-end starter in the NFL for the next half-decade. Jones is far from a permanent solution at the position, though he does provide plenty of value. Compared to Richardson, Jones is notably more accurate with a 64.1 completion percentage, arguably healthier, and has similar athletic ability.
When combining this with his experienced leadership, the Colts now have a more stable starter at the position. If he’s able to spread the ball around to the wide variety of weapons the Colts have, including Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, rookie Tyler Warren, and Jonathan Taylor, the Colts could have a slightly above-average offense.
How the Colts’ Defense Shapes Up
While the defense doesn’t have bona fide superstars, there’s definitely intriguing talent throughout the unit. The defensive line, led by standout defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, has plenty of young talent and depth, including Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, 2023 first-round pick Laiatu Latu and 2024 second-round pick JT Tuimoloau.
Last year, the Colts struggled immensely defending against the pass, with one of the league’s worst defensive back groups. Top free agent acquisitions Camryn Bynum and new top corner Charvarius Ward should provide significant upgrades to solidify the back end.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin is one of the best tacklers in the league, having led the league with back-to-back 160+ tackle seasons in 2023 and 2024. While there isn’t much depth behind him, the hope is that new Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo coaches up the group to make up for it. Overall, key additions to the defense should provide Indianapolis with a middle-of-the-pack defense.
Where Does This Leave the Colts in 2025?
The Colts are a confusing team – somewhat stacked with talent, with little to no hope at the quarterback position. The AFC South is one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, and even with a subpar season, the Colts could find themselves in second place in the division. They should be at least competitive in a majority of their games.
Expect the Colts to hover around .500, but if they do slightly worse, new ownership could easily clean house. Ballard has been with the team for eight years, and Steichen’s offense hasn’t exactly translated as well as he’d like since leaving Philadelphia in 2023. The winds of change could be blowing by the end of this season.
Hang tight, Colts fans. 2025 may be rough, but a certain Manning quarterback may be eligible to be selected in the upcoming NFL draft.
Main Image: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
