Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Names on the Indianapolis Colts' radar as they look to bring in competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson include Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, Trey Lance and Jacoby Brissett, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Jones' name has come up more than once in regards to the Colts this offseason. Indianapolis hasn't given up on Richardson as their starter under center moving forward, but it will also be telling how they approach free agency at the position. Veteran Joe Flacco served as the backup to Richardson last year and even started six games in 2024, but it remains to be seen if the Colts will re-sign him. Jones, a former first-rounder, was a bust for the New York Giants and was cut last year after throwing for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games. With Sam Darnold potentially leaving the Vikings, Minnesota could look to re-sign Jones as insurance for J.J. McCarthy (knee).

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) is expected to be on the Cleveland Browns' radar this offseason, according to people that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has talked to. Because the Browns still owe injured quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) $92 million over the next two years, they will understandably consider cost when it comes to the QB market. They are also fully expected to stay in the No. 2 spot in the upcoming NFL draft and take a signal-caller. Cleveland could also be interested in Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins if he becomes available, but the Falcons might not just outright cut him. Fowler also mentions Carson Wentz as a possible target for the Browns. Jones, 27, completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, eight TDs and seven interceptions in 10 games before being released by the Giants in 2024. He then latched on with the Vikings but didn't see any action. With Sam Darnold likely to walk in free agency, don't rule out the Vikings re-signing Jones as insurance for former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee).

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that the team will have an open competition at quarterback this offseason between Anthony Richardson and another player that is brought in. The Colts could draft a signal-caller -- they have the 14th overall pick in this year's NFL draft -- or pick a veteran up in free agency to compete with Richardson, who disappointed in his sophomore season and was limited to 11 starts due to more injuries and a benching. The 22-year-old former fourth overall pick out of Florida in 2023 only played in four games in his rookie season. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, Richardson has proved injury-prone and is a reliability in terms of accuracy, as he completed only 47.7% of his 264 pass attempts for 1,814 yards, eight TDs and 12 interceptions. The rushing upside is great, but fantasy managers will probably value him as more of an upside QB2 in 2025 if he wins the starting job.

The Indianapolis Colts will likely have quarterback Anthony Richardson under center to begin the 2025 campaign, but after Richardson's struggles to begin his career, the team would be wise to sign a backup with upside. Richardson has completed just 50.6% of his passes for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through his first 15 games. According to Colts reporter James Boyd of The Athletic, former New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones could be a free-agent target for Indianapolis. "Ballard made it clear the Colts will bring in another QB to push Anthony Richardson, and my best guess on who that quarterback will be is Daniel Jones," Boyd wrote. "I suspect my No. 1 choice, Justin Fields, will stay in Pittsburgh, making Jones the next-best/most realistic option in free agency because of his dual-threat abilities." Jones has passed for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions in 70 career games. While it's tough to be optimistic about his future, quarterbacks have gone on to find success with new teams in the past.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure of QB Deshaun Watson's contract will clear up around $36 million in cap space. The status of QBs Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson will dictate how expensive Cousins and Jones will be this offseason. Cousins isn't a free agent, but the Atlanta Falcons probably will find it hard to trade him because of the $10 million roster bonus he's due after the start of the new league year. Cousins has familiarity with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their days with the Vikings. The Browns are expected to draft a QB at No. 2 overall this year, but Cousins could make sense as a bridge starter if he becomes a free agent.