Indianapolis Colts QB Plan Is Crazy Smart or Just Crazy?

Share

Share

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Anthony Richardson versus Daniel Jones. That is the Indianapolis Colts QB plan, a battle to the proverbial death for two versatile players. Is this good crazy or bad crazy?

Prepare for the intense sports debate that only sibling rivalry can conjure. Seesaw Sports, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA and more. Only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate sports.

 

How do you all feel about the quarterback plan implemented (thus far) this offseason by the Indianapolis Colts? They had a QB conundrum on their hands, and instead of solving it, they increased the questions, perhaps for the benefit of the franchise. Rather than washing their hands of the talented Anthony Richardson or handing the keys to him outright, they brought him in some true competition for the starting spot. Enter Daniel Jones.

Indianapolis signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract. He wasn’t atop anyone’s offseason rankings of the top quarterbacks available. He also isn’t a guaranteed backup. With the Colts finding this middle ground, they threaded the needle to perfection.

More BuzzChomp: Way TOO EXCITED About New York Jets New Coach

If they had brought in a top-flight veteran like Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins, it would’ve likely meant the end of Richardson’s time in Indy. He has some trade value still, thanks to how young he is and how high his ceiling could still be. They would have cut bait, gotten something out of him, and moved on.

On the other hand, if the Colts had stuck with Joe Flacco or brought in someone else of that ilk, the message would have been clear in the other direction. This remains Richardson’s team; we believe in him; we don’t want anyone else pushing him off the starting job in 2025. Based on what we have seen from Richardson in the pros, you could understand it. He has flashed immense upside, and forcing him to earn the job could make you lose him forever.

The Indianapolis Colts front office obviously felt he hadn’t done enough to avoid that fate. He does, indeed, have to earn the starting job next season. Is this crazy smart, or just crazy?

 

Indianapolis Colts QB “Plan”

 

 

Todd Salem:

This plan, to me, is a win-win. If they are holding a true position battle in training camp and the preseason and settle on a winner, this can only be good for the organization. Outcome one would see Richardson winning the job. He proves he is better than a solid, veteran QB in this league. Jones is someone with good athleticism and experience. Although he failed with the Giants, he isn’t a lost cause. Richardson defeating him in a position battle means Richardson put 2024 behind him, grew, improved, and is ready to get better in the coming years.

Outcome two would see Jones winning the job. That takes a load off the front office. It means Richardson is not the answer, and assets no longer need to be devoted into playing out the string. The team will still be able to compete in a weak division, and will also have the opportunity to look in another direction for the long-term solution at QB.

Also on BuzzChomp: A Realistic Ceiling for the New York Jets in 2025

There is a nasty third outcome possibility which you may try to throw in my face if you are going in the other direction on this. What if it’s not a real position battle, and they are just using Jones to constantly have Richardson looking over his own shoulder? Then, we could see a complete repeat of this past season, with Richardson seeing the bench multiple times, and the organization having no idea what it’s going to do in 2026.

 

 

Dan Salem:

I find the Indianapolis Colts QB situation troubling for two huge reasons. The primary reason is that if Jones wins the starting job over Richardson, you have effectively zeroed out his trade value. Why would a team want Richardson when he is worse than Jones and has been relegated to the backup role on a subpar team? Playing devil’s advocate to my own argument is the second reason I’m troubled by the Colts. Does Indianapolis know what the heck it’s doing? Most NFL executives would say no.

Last year we saw flashes from Richardson, but it was obvious that Joe Flacco was better suited to run the Colts offense. He brought a deep threat and consistent ability to throw the football to the offense, which lacks a dominant running game mind you. They also had a subpar defense, meaning Flacco was the ONLY threat on the entire team. Richardson was not a major threat when on the field, because he was inconsistent and often injured. They would have been better off sticking with one or the other, but instead the team played musical chairs and I don’t think anyone came out looking very good because of it.

More BuzzChomp: Nosferatu Movie Makes One Fatal Mistake

So here we are. Indianapolis once again does something that makes you scratch your head, with seemingly positive implications on paper. It’s all well and good to push your young QB who has yet to show enough to secure the starting job. It’s all well and good to bring in a player with a lot to prove, who has done well as the starter… when healthy. But now you have two quarterbacks who both get injured every season. If Jones wins the job, it will likely be given back to Richardson when he gets hurt sometime in mid-October. If Richardson wins the job, it will likely be given to Jones when he gets hurt sometime in late September. Now you are back in the same spot you were last year, and likely getting fired.

Richardson SHOULD be challenged and Jones IS a viable starter under the right circumstances, but neither situation is helping the Colts in 2025. We saw how poorly Jones played on a bad team in New York last season. They had a star wide receiver and he still got benched. Who do the Colts have? Richardson BETTER win this job, or his career is done, because no one survives losing their job to Daniel Jones. Not after the stinker he put up. I’m rooting for both players, but Indianapolis has ensured us that there will be a loser. They will likely never start again in the NFL, relegated to permanent backup.

 

 

Meet our Sports Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

Indianapolis Colts QB Battle – This Is The End

Indianapolis Colts Photo Credits: sportsbetting.legal and yardbarker.com; fox10phoenix.com via Getty Images

BuzzChomp is an affiliate for products and services recommended herein. Please read our Full Disclaimer for further information on affiliate programs and opportunities.