The Indianapolis Colts released their first unofficial depth chart on Monday, and while it technically doesn’t mean anything, it does hint at the team’s starting quarterback. Just three years after selecting him with their first-round pick, the Colts have Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones battling for the starting quarterback job.
Richardson is coming off a disastrous season where he completed just 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Jones, meanwhile, joined the team after a failed 2024 with the New York Giants. While it’s anyone’s guess who will start in Week 1, it’s clear this will be a legitimate battle, as Richardson and Jones are BOTH listed atop the Colts depth chart.
This is probably a nice way of saying that Daniel Jones is the frontrunner for the job. While the organization wants to justify its first-round selection of Richardson, most reports indicate that Jones is having the better offseason. Perhaps the team keeps Richardson as a backup, but they’re more likely to trade him if he cannot win the starting job. Nobody will make him their starter, but the following three teams could roll the dice on him as a high-ceiling backup.
Colts first “unofficial depth chart” of the season lists their QB position like this: “Daniel Jones OR Anthony Richardson Sr.” pic.twitter.com/nSlD7kq8NK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2025
Colts Depth Chart Suggests An Imminent Anthony Richardson Trade
Possible Fits
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints need to find a real solution at the quarterback position. While Spencer Rattler had his moments last year, he probably won’t turn into a franchise quarterback. Second-round pick Tyler Shough, meanwhile, offers the promise of the unknown but lacks the physical attributes to become anything more than an adequate starter – and that’s assuming he can handle life in the NFL. Anthony Richardson is far from a safe bet, but he offers the most upside on this depth chart. If Daniel Jones starts the season atop the Colts depth chart, don’t be surprised if Ricardson ends up in the Big Easy.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a short-term answer under center in four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. However, while Rodgers is still a starting-caliber quarterback, he’s a shell of his former self and is playing on a year-to-year basis at this stage in his career. Pittsburgh needs some long-term optimism at the position, and Anthony Richardson could provide that. The Florida product entered the league as an incredibly raw passer, so perhaps he can develop and learn the game behind Rodgers. While he probably won’t play in 2025, he could fight for the starting job in 2026.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, but that shouldn’t stop them from upgrading the backup quarterback position. Free agent signee Cooper Rush is a perfectly adequate QB2 and could keep the ship afloat if Jackson misses a week or two, but he offers no long-term upside. Anthony Richardson’s physical skills are second to none, and, in theory, he could operate a similar playbook if Jackson misses an extended stretch. Obviously, he’s not as good as the two-time MVP, but better coaching could bring out the best in him.
Main Photo: Grace Hollars – Imagn Images
