Riley

Leonard

Richardson and Riley Leonard will both play, while Daniel Jones will sit. Richardson’s trade request this offseason has gone nowhere, but the Colts appear to be giving him ample opportunity to showcase himself in the preseason as he will get the first half here and the second half next week against Atlanta, while Leonard picks up the other two halves. The Colts are likely hoping someone talks themselves into trading a low pick for Richardson.

Colts coach Shane Steichen did not indicate who will start the game, nor did he rule out QB Daniel Jones (Achilles). Per Erickson, holding Jones out would be unsurprising. Richardson was recently seen working with the third-team offense, so Leonard could have the inside track to start on Thursday.

Richardson, as usual, has been impressive on deep balls, but has had “issues involving his timing and anticipation, securing the snap has been a problem, as he’s bobbled or dropped several shotgun snaps,” Arthur said. Richardson is competing with Riley Leonard for QB2 duties behind Daniel Jones. Leonard, according to Arthur, has seen “slightly” more work with the Colts’ second-team offense than Richardson has in camp. Leonard has been “finding the layups” in Shane Steichen’s offense — an area in which Richardson has struggled as a pro. Leonard would seem to be the favorite to serve as Jones’ backup in 2026.

With starting QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) rehabbing his season-ending injury from last year, presumed QB2 Riley Leonard will receive extra snaps this spring. When asked today if Richardson will be allowed to compete with Leonard for the QB2 role, Steichen “quickly sidestepped the topic,” prompting multiple follow-up questions from reporters. Steichen also “did not give a direct answer” when asked if Richardson has any limitations in his previously injured eye. A reporter followed up on the latter issue, but Steichen “simply repeated that the QB is ‘cleared to play.’” This doesn’t give us a whole lot to go on, but we expect reporters to follow up with Steichen and potentially Richardson on the matter. Boyd notably reported in February that Richardson had regained full vision in his right eye. We hope the initial reporting is indeed true.

Steichen notes, though, that “the team will be cautious” with Jones. A little over two weeks ago, we learned that Jones was dropping back and throwing the football. It sounds like that process is going well, and his rehab continues. We do not yet know if he will be able to play early in the season. Colts QB Riley Leonard is penciled in as Jones’ backup. It is unclear whether QB Anthony Richardson will be allowed to compete for the No. 2 role. The Athletic’s James Boyd believes “questions still remain about his recovery from a right eye injury.”

Richardson stayed away during the previous two weeks, but showed up on Monday to join the team. The former No. 4 overall pick, who recently had his fifth-year option declined, is hoping to be traded or released before the start of next season, but he doesn’t appear to be on the move at this time. With second-year QB Riley Leonard expected to see most of the first-team reps while Daniel Jones continues to recover from his Achilles injury, Richardson will likely handle backup duties during drills if he continues to report. Richardson is in the final year of his rookie deal and appeared in only two games last season, completing 1-of-2 passes for nine yards.

It’s a positive sign for Jones four months removed from his Achilles tear, and it’s in line with general manager Chris Ballard’s April 20 assessment that Jones is “progressing really well” in his offseason recovery. Signing a massive contract extension with the Colts, Jones will be the team’s starter in 2026. Whether he misses a couple early season games depends on the speed of his recovery from the Achilles injury. With Anthony Richardson unlikely to be back with the team, Riley Leonard could function as Indy’s No. 2 quarterback behind Jones. Jones ranked sixth in drop back EPA before tearing his Achilles.

The rookie didn’t look overmatched against the Week 18 kinda-sorta-trying Texans or the Jaguars in relief of Jones in Week 14 before the Philip Rivers Experiment happened. He finished the year with 415 passing yards on 67 attempts, along with two touchdowns and three interceptions — one of which was a Hail Mary in Week 17 that he threw because Rivers couldn’t get the ball downfield. We’re not trying to sell Leonard as a dynasty asset or anything, but Shane Steichen is a good offensive coach and he could be a viable QB2 superflex streamer depending on how the schedule falls if Jones isn’t quite ready.

Richardson, a former first-round draft pick who has flamed out in three seasons with Indy, has been linked to other teams this offseason, including the Packers, who lost backup QB Malik Willis to the Dolphins in free agency. Ballard on Monday said there’s still a chance Richardson stays with the Colts in 2026. “There’s definitely a scenario there. He’s a good dude and he’s talented. I mean, I still want good for Anthony, man,” Ballard said. “I still think he’s got a lot in him. He’s had some freaking bad luck, but I still think Anthony has got a lot of ability and he’s maturing and growing. He’s still young.” The most inaccurate passer in the NFL since entering the league in 2023, Richardson, 23, has struggled with various injuries, including a severe eye injury suffered in a freak training accident last season. ESPN’s Stephen Holder said Richardson could be seen as expendable since Riley Leonard is “now seen as a viable No. 2 quarterback” following his late-season performance in 2025.

He also notes that Chris Ballard “openly theorized about [Riley] Leonard being the team’s backup in 2026" while saying that he believes both Richardson and the team could benefit from a divorce. We doubt that Richardson would bring back much draft capital at this point, but every bit of it might matter for a team that dealt two first-round picks for Sauce Gardner. Richardson could be a low-cost or rehab option for teams this offseason in what looks to be a pretty barren quarterback market.