Daniel Jones has been handed a huge opportunity to salvage his NFL career after the Indianapolis Colts named his as their starting quarterback for the new season.
The news is a crushing blow for Anthony Richardson, the team’s struggling starter for the last two campaigns. He had been battling it out with Jones to keep that position during preseason.
Jones was cut by the New York Giants last year after a frankly astonishing downturn in form, two seasons after leading the team to the playoffs. He was demoted to fourth-choice quarterback and eventually asked to be released from his four-year, $160million contract to pursue a fresh start.
After ending last season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings, Jones signed a one-year deal with the Colts worth $14million – likely, in part, because he fancied his chances of dislodging Richardson as the first choice starter under Shane Steichen.
The Giants took Jones with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft while the Colts took Richardson with the fourth pick in 2023.
Late owner Jim Irsay gave Richardson a glowing endorsement but the signal caller out of Florida has struggled to adjust to the NFL and make that position his own.
Daniel Jones has a huge chance to rebuild his NFL career as Indianapolis Colts starter
In his rookie season, shoulder surgery ended Richardson’s first season after only four starts. And last year, he was benched for Joe Flacco after he asked to be taken out of a game against the Houston Texans because of tiredness.
Richardson’s future with the franchise will now inevitably fall under intensifying scrutiny but despite Tuesday’s vote of confidence for Jones, big question marks still remain over the ex-Giants man.
The Colts start the season at home against Miami Dolphins on September 7 before hosting Denver Broncos in Week 2.
MORE TO FOLLOW
