NFL World Reacts to Colts' Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones Competition

The Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones this week to compete for the starting quarterback job vs. Anthony Richardson, and the NFL world had a lot to say.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates as he leaves the field Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, after winning a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts made a splash heard 'round the NFL on Tuesday as they agreed to sign former New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones to a one-year deal worth up to $17.7 million.

The Colts signed Jones with the intention of placing him in a competition against Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback role in 2025.

Both players have shown talent and reasons for optimism in their careers but are more well-known for their downfalls. Jones signed a $160 million contract in 2023, but injuries and poor play from him and his Giants teammates tanked the rest of his tenure in New York, leading to his benching and ultimate release. Richardson, too has dealt with injuries that cost him 17 games the last two years, as well as a two-game benching last year.

This isn't exactly a competition pitting great versus great, so the NFL world had some thoughts...

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..

THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HAVE SIGNED DANNY DIMES #PMSLIVE https://t.co/MOaXfADSuv pic.twitter.com/5HQNBKh2vU

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 11, 2025

Just to clarify some points that might get lost in my Colts chatter.. I do hope AR becomes a guy.. would be sweet for the league.

So much potential… excited to watch him continue to develop his work ethic.

Might be a 🐐 someday.. hope it all gets figured out.. if not.. between… pic.twitter.com/L7BlHbpkJX

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 11, 2025

The #Colts are now preparing for an open quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, who is healthy and has no plans to seek a trade, his agent Deiric Jackson told me.

Said Jackson: “AR will be ready to roll.” pic.twitter.com/oss5kqOS7b

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2025

I get that 14m looks like a lot for Daniel Jones, but I don’t, at all, see a contract that says “open competition.”

I see a contract that says “our priority starter gets hurt a lot and might not work out at some point and we have to have someone w/ experience we can plug in”.

— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) March 11, 2025

Rooting for Daniel Jones to succeed, especially after he got beat up and blamed for everything in NY. But I don’t love the situation with the Colts. Feels like whoever wins the starting job initially will just be winning the right to get benched first

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 12, 2025

Among 44 qualified QBs in 2023-2024:

Lowest completion rate:
Anthony Richardson

Fewest adjusted yards per attempt:
Daniel Jones

Go Colts!

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 11, 2025

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“we believe in daniel jones or anthony richardson to be our QB1” pic.twitter.com/F2HhIXY1d0

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) March 11, 2025

Starting Daniel Jones is unserious

— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) March 11, 2025

Count @ZachHicks2 among those not on board with the Indianapolis Colts signing Daniel Jones. #Colts #NFL #NFLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/7LuDIQOUAP

— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 12, 2025

It'll be verrrrry interesting in training camp if Daniel Jones consistently outperforms Anthony Richardson — a plausible scenario, in my mind — and the Colts are forced to back up their claim of a legit open QB competition.

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 11, 2025

Daniel Jones making more than Anthony Richardson in 2025 is such a non-issue. Jones gets $14m with a chance to get to $17.7m. Richardson has base of $1.03m with $3.84m cap hit because he's on his ROOKIE deal. That rookie deal: $33.99m. GTD.
Non-issue.

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) March 11, 2025

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