The Indianapolis Colts have set fire to their own quarterback debate. On Tuesday, head coachShane Steichen confirmed that Daniel Jones will start the season opener, leaving Anthony Richardson Sr.– the franchise’s highly prized 2023 draft pick – on the sidelines.
The move has unleashed anger and doubt. Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, did not hide his frustration, questioning whether his client can truly trust the franchise after a decision that, in his view, was already written the moment the Coltssigned Jones in March to a one-year, $14 million deal.
“We have a lot to discuss,”Jackson told ESPN.“Anthony did everything asked of him. He worked, he grew, he improved. And still, here we are. Trust is a big factor and it feels, at best, questionable right now.”
An Old Wound Reopened
Jackson’s comments go beyond this week. Last season, Richardson was benched for two games, accused by his coach of lacking preparation. The team replaced him with Joe Flacco, only to reverse course after two straight defeats. Richardson returned, and what did he do? Lead two late-game winning drives.
“When they needed someone to save them, who had the ball? Anthony,” Jackson reminded. “And yet, somehow, he’s not the starter today.”
This is why the agent speaks of damaged credibility inside the organization. For him, this is not about competition. It is about trust.
Richardson Stays Calm, For Now
And what about the quarterback himself? Richardson kept his composure. “No hard feelings,” he said. “Coach made a decision, and I have to live with it. But I can’t stop growing. I can’t stop becoming the player I’m meant to be.”
His words may sound calm, but behind them lies the frustration of a young talent who believed he had shown enough in training camp to keep his role. Steichen, for his part, insists the team still believes in him. “Anthony has made progress. We see it every day,” the coach said earlier this summer.
A Familiar Chaos in Indianapolis
For Colts fans, this feels like déjà vu. Since Andrew Luck’s shocking retirement in 2019, Indianapolis has been a carousel of quarterbacks: Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco. Now, Daniel Jones joins the list, while Richardson – the supposed future – watches from the bench.
The big question is no longer only about who starts Week 1. It is whether Anthony Richardson will trust this team enough to stay and lead it. Because right now, his agent has made it clear: that trust is crumbling.
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