Ex-Giants quarterback Daniel Jones wins Colts' starting QB job

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News on Aug 19, 2025

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — Daniel Jones is an NFL starter once again.

Jones won the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback job over Anthony Richardson, head coach Shane Steichen announced Tuesday.

“He’s our starting quarterback for the season,” Steichen said. “I don’t want to have a quick leash on that. I feel confident in his abilities.”

Jones signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts in March, four months after the Giants released him.

The 28-year-old Jones spent the final five weeks of last season on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, and he was added to the active roster for their lone playoff game.

But the Colts presented a better opportunity for Jones to compete for a starting job after Richardson’s first two NFL seasons were marred by injury and inconsistency.

“I think the guys have taken to him,” Steichen said of Jones. “He’s a great communicator with the guys. You can see that veteran presence out there, so I’m excited for that.”

Jones, whom the Giants drafted No. 6 overall in 2019, went 24-44-1 in his six seasons as a starter, including 2-8 last year before his release. Jones owns a career completion percentage of 64.1% and has thrown for 70 touchdowns with 47 interceptions.

He is three years removed from his best NFL season, when he threw for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 708 yards and seven scores. The Giants went 9-7-1 and earned a wild-card berth that year, and Jones led them to a win over the Vikings in the first round of the playoffs.

The Giants then signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract, only to release him less than halfway through.

Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, is 8-7 as a starter, but he has underwhelmed as a passer, completing 50.6% of his attempts and throwing 11 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. He has rushed for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.

“The operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the protection, the ball placement, the completion percentage, all of that played a factor,” Steichen said of the Colts’ QB competition. “Daniel did a great job doing that. I think AR has made strides in that area, but I do feel that he still needs to continue to develop in those areas.”

Jones completed 17 of 32 passes for 245 yards this preseason. Richardson is 8 for 14 for 94 yards.

The veteran Jones is now tasked with leading an offense that features a star running back in Jonathan Taylor, established wide receivers in Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, and a first-round rookie tight end in Tyler Warren.

Jones looks to get his career back on track with the support of Steichen, who helped develop Justin Herbert as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2020 and Jalen Hurts as the Philadelphia Eagles’ OC from 2021-23.

The Colts are trying to improve on last year’s 8-9 record and seek their first trip to the playoffs since 2020.

Richardson was also benched for two games last season, with Joe Flacco replacing him. Asked if he sees a future for Richardson as the Colts’ starter, Steichen said, “That’s hard to say,” but acknowledged the 23-year-old could get another opportunity if something happens to Jones.

“This league is a year-to-year league,” Steichen said. “What do I feel is best for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025? I’ve got to make these decisions. That’s what I get paid to do, and I’ve got to go with what I feel is right.”