In a shocking Tuesday development, former New York Giant Daniel Jones has been announced as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback.
Jones officially beats out third-year pro Anthony Richardson, who has battled injuries since entering the NFL. Most recently, the ex-Florida Gator suffered a finger injury in week one of the preseason.
NFL World Reacts As Daniel Jones Becomes Colts’ QB1
Richardson’s NFL career has gone everything but as he planned. With numerous injuries and below-average play, he is now an official backup to Jones. While this is not the end for the 23-year-old quarterback, overcoming injuries will be crucial in taking the next step in his NFL career.
With both quarterbacks unproven in their NFL careers, head coach Shane Steichen is hopeful Jones is up for the task.
“He’s [Jones] the starting quarterback for the season,” said Steichen, as per Colts insider Joel Erickson. “I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
Shane Steichen on Daniel Jones: “He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) August 19, 2025
While Steichen is confident in Jones, some Colts faithful are not.
This X user is so disappointed in Richardson that they wrote, “Anthony Richardson should have to go back to college for getting beat out by Daniel Jones.”
Anthony Richardson should have to go back to college for getting beat out by Daniel Jones
— Scur (@Jordan_S09) August 19, 2025
Another NFL fan believes Richardson’s loss of the job is the beginning of a new NFL chapter for the 6’4″ quarterback.
The Anthony Richardson experiment in Indy is really over
— Stephen (@xVerlix_) August 19, 2025
With Jones earning the starting role, does this conclude Richardson’s tenure with the Colts?
“The Anthony Richardson experiment in Indy is really over,” said one X user.
Pessimism Rains on Richardson As Remainder of NFL Career Takes the Stand
Colts fans are beyond disappointed with the development of the former fourth overall pick in 2023. His injury-riddled career and inability to beat out an unproven quarterback led fans to believe his career could be over.
The breaking news led this NFL fan to a blunt reaction saying, “Anthony Richardson I fear it’s joever.”
Anthony Richardson I fear it’s Joever https://t.co/8gNJdGyLwG
— Michael (@runningontatum) August 19, 2025
With high hopes coming out of Florida, many fans are not mad, but more so disappointed in Richardson.
At just 23 years old, this fan has already given up on the Colts quarterback and the remainder of his career. “Anthony Richardson is such a disappointing bust,” another user wrote.
The potential end of Richardson’s Colts tenure already has fans discussing his next possible landing spot. Fans may already be comparing Richardson to upcoming QB draft candidates for one NFL squad. “Get ready for ‘Where would you rank Anthony Richardson among the 2026 NFL Draft QBs?’ Debates Steelers fans,” one fan said.
MORE: List of NFL Starting Quarterbacks: Browns, Colts Name a Starter, While Saints’ QB Battle Continues
As fans lose confidence in Richardson, Jones’ abilities again come into question. “How bad is Anthony Richardson?” Asks one fan. “DJ beats him in character by a long shot, he just can’t make the big time throws or reads to be an elite player.”
With both quarterbacks struggling to this point in their careers, fans continue to diss both field generals. “No way Anthony Richardson lost a QB battle to Daniel Jones 🤢,” said another fan.
Richardson’s injuries have plagued him to this point in his career, which one fan pokes fun at in this X post. “Anthony Richardson getting beat out by Daniel Jones is nasty work,” another X user wrote. “It’s over for Mr. Ineedtocomeoutofthegame.”
Steichen’s confidence in Jones looks to be a dagger in Richardson’s hopes of starting in the 2025 NFL season. However, the young quarterback’s response to being the backup may determine how the next chapter of his NFL career pans out.
