The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for their Week 1 preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, with head coach Shane Steichen providing some insights into the quarterback situation. Although Steichen has not disclosed who will take the initial snaps on Thursday, he confirmed that both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will be playing in the game. The plan appears to be for one quarterback to lead the majority of the snaps in the first preseason game and for the other to step up in Week 2, allowing both players ample opportunity to showcase their skills.
Steichen noted, “They’ll play a good amount… One will play a good amount this game and the next one will probably play a good amount in the next game.” This approach is aimed at determining which quarterback can provide the best performance under game conditions.
In recent practices, Richardson has demonstrated significant progress, particularly in his accuracy on short to intermediate throws. Following a subpar outing on Saturday, he rebounded well in Sunday’s practice. Steichen highlighted Richardson’s improved decision-making and overall clean play, stating, “Everything’s cleaner right now… he’s making good decisions with the football.”
On the other hand, Jones has faced some inconsistency during training camp. Although he had a “solid” performance recently, there are expectations for him to display more dynamic plays. Observers, including Nate Atkins from the Indy Star, noted that Jones could benefit from showcasing more explosiveness, a quality that has been lacking in his game and the Giants’ offense in prior seasons.
As the preseason unfolds, Steichen is focusing on consistency, emphasizing that performance in the upcoming games will significantly impact ultimate decisions regarding the starting quarterback. Prior to their game against the Ravens, the Colts are scheduled for a joint practice with them, providing an additional opportunity for both quarterbacks to fine-tune their skills in preparation for the season ahead.
The overall development of both quarterbacks is crucial for the Colts, and with preseason games on the horizon, fans can look forward to seeing how this competition unfolds. It’s a positive sign for the team that both players are experiencing growth and responding well to coaching.