INDIANAPOLIS, August 19, 2025 – The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that Daniel Jones will be the team’s starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, a decision made official by head coach Shane Steichen. This choice comes after a competitive training camp battle between Jones and last year’s starting quarterback, Anthony Richardson.
Steichen emphasized that the decision was rooted in consistency on and off the field. Speaking at a press conference, the coach stated, “I thought the competition in training camp was great by both guys and they competed really hard. It was good to see cheering for each other and battling the way they did. You guys heard me talk about the consistency, that’s really what I was looking for, and really the operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, protection, ball placement, completion percentage—all of that played a factor in it.” He added, “I think Daniel did a great job doing that and I think AR has made strides in that area, but I do feel that needs to continue to develop in those areas.”
Jones, who signed with the Colts as a free agent in March, will start in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Steichen made clear that he has confidence in Jones’ abilities, saying, “He’s our starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a quick leash on that.” Steichen plans to give Jones an ample opportunity to lead the offense without frequent changes.
Despite Jones securing the starting position, Steichen also praised Anthony Richardson’s effort and progress. He noted that Richardson handled the news professionally and understands that he is “one play away” from earning back the starting role, but he must continue to develop. Steichen remarked, “The team is very supportive of Daniel but also supportive of AR in his new role. He’s got to attack it the right way.”
Jones brings considerable NFL experience to the Colts. Over six seasons with the New York Giants, Jones started 69 of 70 games, completing 64.1% of his passes for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. His steadiness and proficiency helped Steichen decide that Jones is the best fit to guide the Colts’ offense this season.
Head coach Steichen’s announcement reflects the Colts’ broader strategy of fostering stability on offense while continuing to develop young talent like Richardson. The upcoming season will be a pivotal one for both quarterbacks and the team at large, as Indianapolis looks to improve on past performances and contend in the competitive AFC South division.
The Colts’ fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Daniel Jones takes the helm, tasked with leading the team through a promising yet challenging 2025 campaign.