GM Chris Ballard Addresses Colts’ QB Situation, Emphasizes ‘Real Competition’
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will have the opportunity to remain the starter, but GM Chris Ballard makes it clear that he’ll need to earn the role through a competitive process.
Richardson’s second NFL season didn’t unfold as expected. He was benched for two games midway through the year after GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen noticed he was struggling on the field. When he returned, Richardson had some positive moments, including late-game comebacks against the New York Jets and New England Patriots. However, he missed the final two games of the season due to a preexisting back issue from his junior high days. What was supposed to be a bounce-back season for Richardson, who only played four games during his rookie year, ended with him completing a league-worst 47.7% of his passes, a new franchise low for the Colts.
Following the season, the Colts acknowledged that Richardson still had room to grow despite his positive response after being benched, and they indicated they would seek competition for him in the 2025 season.
At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ballard reaffirmed this plan, stating that the Colts would have an open competition for the starting quarterback job. “It’s gotta be the right guy to create real competition, but we want to create real competition,” Ballard explained. “I think it’s good for the team. I think it’s good for Anthony… It’ll be open. And, of course, it’s gotta be somebody that can really challenge from a production standpoint too.”
Ballard also shared that Richardson has accepted the situation. The quarterback now understands the significance of the position better than he did when he entered the league as a 20-year-old in 2023.
When asked about how the Colts would address the quarterback position, Ballard confirmed that all options—free agency, the draft, and trades—are on the table.
While head coach Shane Steichen didn’t reveal specifics on how the Colts would add competition, he did talk about what he expects from Richardson in 2025. “Consistency is the biggest thing,” Steichen said. “We’ve had those conversations… just being consistent. Obviously, staying on the field. He played 11 games last year and did some really good things, but we’re looking for consistency.” Steichen also emphasized that Richardson should focus on improving his fundamentals and increasing his completion percentage during the offseason.
The Colts are heading into the offseason with only two quarterbacks under contract for 2025: Richardson and practice squad player Jason Bean. Last season’s backups, Joe Flacco and Sam Ehlinger, are both set to become free agents.
This offseason, the Colts plan to add a quarterback who can genuinely compete with Richardson for the starting role, whether through free agency, the draft, or trade. They aim to bring in someone who can challenge Richardson while also contributing to the offense if they win the job.
Regardless of who the Colts bring in, they are expecting Richardson to show improvement, especially since this will be his first true, full offseason. “Last offseason, Anthony spent a lot of time rehabbing, so now he can focus on just training and developing, which will be fun to watch,” Ballard said. “We get pretty good updates on him, and I think we’re going to see a better version of him this year.”
Ballard expressed confidence that Richardson will continue to develop and improve, acknowledging that there are still areas to work on but emphasizing his faith in the training process.
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