What do NFL execs think of the Indianapolis Colts signing Daniel Jones in free agency to compete with Anthony Richardson?
Mike Sando of The Athletic recently asked a few NFL execs to weigh in on the Colts' free agency moves. When it comes to the quarterback position, one exec likes Jones' upside, but wonders if him winning the job is what's best for the Colts long term.
“Jones has a chance to be the next Sam Darnold,” an exec told Sando, “but I wonder if that would be good for everyone there. Does the GM (Chris Ballard) need Richardson to win the job? The watch is on for Daniel.”
With the Colts not having been to the playoffs since 2020, GM Chris Ballard is in a win-now mode, hence the addition of Jones to hopefully help boost the level of play at the quarterback position.
However, expanding our vision beyond the 2025 season, it absolutely is in the best interest of Ballard and the Colts that Richardson win this job. For one, there is the investment that's already been made, both in draft capital and time-wise, but in terms of potential, Richardson still has tons of that.
Whereas on the flip side of that, if Richardson can't find that consistency again, and Jones ends up starting all or most of the season, the Colts will find themselves at a point next offseason where Richardson is without an opportunity to start in 2026 and the team has to decide if re-signing Jones is a path they want to go down, depending on how he performed during the 2025 season.
Ultimately, what the Colts are hoping to see more of from Richardson is consistency, specifically, completing more passes. They know the talent is there, but as Shane Steichen said recently, "you can't go broke taking a profit."
After being benched last season, Richardson responded well, and his play did improve upon his return to the lineup. The Colts would love to see that result once again.
Starting in the spring, when the Colts are able to be back on the practice field as a team, Steichen said that Richardson and Jones will be splitting the starting reps, and the most consistent player throughout the summer will be the Week 1 starter.
Another exec told Sando he thinks it's Jones who is going to win the job.
“Ward is a good player, and Bynum will help them as well, but really it’s about the offense,” another exec said to Sando. “I think Daniel Jones is going to be their guy.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Execs weigh in on Daniel Jones; Anthony Richardson
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