INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts will have an open competition at quarterback next season, general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson will need to battle for the starting QB job in 2025, and he’ll be battling against a to-be-determined signal-caller the Colts acquire this offseason, Ballard said.
“I think that’s good for the team,” Ballard told reporters, “and I think it’s good for Anthony.”
Ballard said he would consider all avenues -- via free agency, a trade or through the draft -- to find the right competition for Richardson. The only other quarterback under contract for the Colts in 2025 is Jason Bean, who was on the practice squad most of last season.
“It’s gotta be the right guy to create real competition,” he said. “But we want to create real competition.”
Speaking after Ballard's reveal on Tuesday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said "competition is great for everybody" and that he's looking for more "consistency" from the 22-year-old Richardson.
“I think every year is like that in the NFL," Steichen said when asked if it's a make-or-break year for Richardson. "You got to show up and play. Every year its pressure situations and you got to show up week in and week out and put on your best performance."
Richardson is coming off a disappointing second season in the NFL. His 47.7% completion rate was the lowest mark among starting quarterbacks -- and the lowest for a starting QB in the past several years. He missed all but four games as a rookie in 2023, suffered a hip injury early in 2024 and was also benched at one point in favor of veteran Joe Flacco.
Ballard said he’s been in contact with Richardson, who is training down in Florida. He’s considered healthy now, and Ballard has been receiving regular updates from Richardson’s trainer, whom Ballard said was “excellent.”
Ballard said he knew there would be growing pains for Richardson when they drafted him No. 4 overall two years ago. But the need for quarterback clarity and improvement after two tough seasons is becoming more urgent.
“We drafted Anthony high knowing it was going to take time,” Ballard said. “We knew there were going to be some hiccups along the way. We all want a finished product right away -- I do, you do, fans do, we all do.
“I think as he continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition will help (raise) everybody’s game.”