Colts QB Anthony Richardson is '100% healed' for the 2025 season. See how his return sets up a QB battle with Daniel Jones and fuels Indy's playoff hopes.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The words every Colts fan has been waiting nearly two years to hear finally arrived on Tuesday: Anthony Richardson is back. The electrifying quarterback announced he is '100% healed' from the shoulder surgery that derailed his rookie campaign and has been fully medically cleared for the 2025 season. This single piece of news transforms the team's outlook, immediately intensifying the quarterback competition and fueling the franchise's 'playoff-or-bust' expectations.
I feel awesome. I've gotten cleared. I'm ready.
After a grueling recovery from the AC joint sprain suffered in October 2023, Richardson's confident declaration is music to the ears of the Colts' faithful. 'I feel awesome. I've gotten cleared. I'm ready,' he told reporters, signaling an end to a period of uncertainty that saw him miss most of 2023 and remain limited through 2024's offseason programs. His clearance means he enters training camp without restrictions, ready to reclaim his role and prove he is the long-term answer for a team desperate for stability under center.
Richardson's return doesn't come with a guaranteed starting spot; it comes with a challenge. Veteran Daniel Jones, signed in free agency, took all the first-team reps during minicamp and proved to be a steady hand. Now, the stage is set for a true training camp battle. While the Colts organization has invested a high draft pick and immense hope in Richardson, Jones's presence ensures there will be no complacency. The competition is expected to push both quarterbacks, with Richardson aiming to solidify his status and Jones looking to prove he's more than just an insurance policy. Rookie Riley Leonard will watch and learn from the third spot.
With the quarterback situation coming into focus, the front office's message for 2025 is crystal clear: it's playoffs or bust. The team hasn't reached the postseason since 2020 or won the AFC South since 2014, and patience has run out. New leadership has ushered in a culture of accountability, reinforced by key defensive acquisitions like coordinator Lou Anarumo and veterans Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum. The goal isn't just to compete; it's to win, and the pressure is on everyone, from the coaching staff to cornerstone players like Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor.
To support the mission, the front office has surrounded its quarterbacks with weapons. The backfield is deep behind Jonathan Taylor, featuring DJ Giddens and Khalil Herbert. The team also invested its 14th overall pick in the draft on another pass-catcher, signaling a commitment to a high-powered, versatile offense. The only minor question mark is first-round tight end Tyler Warren's absence from the voluntary 'Tight End University,' but the focus remains on integrating these new pieces to ensure the offense has enough firepower to meet the team's ambitious goals.
All eyes now turn to training camp. The declarations have been made, the pieces have been assembled, and the mandate is clear. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Colts have their potential franchise quarterback healthy and a roster built to win now. The battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will be the main event, but the real story is whether this revamped Colts team can finally end its playoff drought and deliver on its lofty ambitions. The pressure is on, and Indianapolis is ready for the show.
