Will The Colts Actually Have An Open QB Competition?

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Heading into the 2025 season, one of the biggest questions facing the Indianapolis Colts will be at quarterback. 

Anthony Richardson, the former 4th-overall-pick heading into his third season, has everything to prove following two up-and-down, injury filled seasons. If he doesn’t take the reins and prove himself as the unquestioned franchise player this year, it’s hard to imagine that the Colts won’t hit the reset button and move on.  

During his comments to the media at the NFL Combine, Colts general manager Chris Ballard caused some raised eyebrows when he said that the Colts would have an “open competition” at quarterback in an effort to get the best out of Richardson. But will that really be the case? The Colts seem to be betting everything on Richardson finally figuring things out, and taking that next step; if they did have an open competition, and Richardson didn’t come out on top, what would that say about the state of the franchise, and the people running it? 

During the Wednesday edition of The Ride With JMV, Zak Keefer of The Athletic joined the show and gave his thoughts on if the Colts will really bring in someone who can challenge Richardson for the starting job. 

“When an owner says you get one more year, more or less, or you have to win this year otherwise you’re out…when has that ever worked? That never works in this league…Richardson’s completion percentage is what, 48% or 50% right now? It’s the worst in the league, and it’s one of the worst for a starter in the last decade. You’re banking on something to happen next year for you to win games that has happened once in modern NFL history; a significant jump in the quarterback’s completion percentage. They’re banking on things that do not just happen in this league, and I’m not rooting against the Colts this year, but let’s play the game like you just said. We’re going to have an open competition at quarterback? You just nailed it, it’s not going to be an open competition, because if it is, and the other guy wins whoever that is, then what’s the point of the 2025 season? Because all that needs to be answered is what you just said; what’s going to happen at coach, quarterback, and [general manager].” 

Listen to JMV’s full conversation with Zak Keefer and others down below, and tune into The Ride With JMV weekdays from 3-6pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan! 

Will The Colts Actually Have An Open QB Competition? was originally published on 1075thefan.com