Colts QB Anthony Richardson is cleared for 2025, sparking a QB battle with Daniel Jones. Can he save Coach Steichen's job and lead Indy to the playoffs?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In the single most important piece of news for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, quarterback Anthony Richardson declared Tuesday that his surgically repaired shoulder is '100% healed' and he is medically cleared for a full comeback. The declaration, which ends months of speculation, provides a massive jolt of optimism for the franchise but also cranks up the pressure on Head Coach Shane Steichen, who now faces a franchise-altering decision with his own job potentially on the line.
I'm ready.
The words every Colts fan has been waiting to hear are finally here. After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in October 2023, Anthony Richardson told reporters he feels 'awesome' and is fully cleared for action. This officially sets the stage for the most anticipated training camp battle in recent memory. Richardson's dynamic, high-ceiling talent will go head-to-head with the veteran stability of Daniel Jones, and the winner will be tasked with elevating an offense that finished a disappointing 8-9 last season.
While Richardson's news is cause for celebration, it puts his head coach directly on the hot seat. With the Colts mired in mediocrity at 17-17 over their last 34 games, new ownership is reportedly demanding a playoff appearance in 2025. Analyst Jacob Camenker recently ranked Steichen as the fifth-most likely NFL coach to be fired this season. If the team stumbles out of the gate, a midseason change is a real possibility. Steichen's choice between the explosive potential of Richardson and the floor of Jones will likely define his tenure in Indianapolis.
Success won't just hinge on the quarterback. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is revamping the other side of the ball, built around the cornerstone linebacker duo of Zaire Franklin and promising rookie Jaylon Carlies. Both are working their way back from injuries, but their healthy return is considered vital. The front office also invested in the secondary, adding key veterans like corner Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum to bring experience and stability to a unit that needs to support the offense's ambitions.
The urgency for a turnaround is amplified by the landscape of the AFC South. While no longer a pushover, the division remains winnable, making the Colts' playoff drought since 2020 feel even more pronounced. With a healthy Pro Bowl running back in Jonathan Taylor ready to carry the load and a clear mandate from the top, the pieces are in place for a run. The quarterback battle isn't just a camp storyline; it's the fulcrum on which the entire 2025 season, and potentially the future of the coaching staff, will pivot.
All eyes now turn to training camp, less than a month away. It's no longer a question of if Anthony Richardson will be ready, but who will win the starting job and how quickly this team can rally behind him. For Shane Steichen, it's not just about picking a quarterback; it's about picking the right path to save his job and end a playoff drought that has lingered for far too long.
