I recently wrote How To Add A QB1 To Your Dynasty Team - '25, where I evaluated QB fantasy relevance versus years in the NFL, which led me to conclude that a QB that hasn't been fantasy relevant by their 2nd year, isn't likely to become fantasy relevant at all. At the time, I also happened to own Anthony Richardson. So I believed his throwing accuracy and injury issues would prevent him from beating out Daniel Jones for the starting role - so I traded him for a 2nd-round pick in my dynasty league.

Recently Richardson suffered another setback with the shoulder injury that’s been holding him back, and it piqued my interest.

Not that he was trending upward, but I still wondered — did I jump the gun by giving up on him too soon? I decided to dig deeper — here’s what I found...

The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2025 season with one of the league's most intriguing quarterback battles. On one side: Anthony Richardson, the electric, physically gifted QB drafted to be the franchise's future. On the other hand, Daniel Jones, the castoff from New York seeking redemption and stability. The storyline is simple. The outcome? Anything but.

 
Richardson's Roadblock: Time Lost

After just four starts in 2023, Richardson’s rookie season ended prematurely with a shoulder injury. In 2024, though he returned, lingering shoulder issues clearly hampered his play—he missed multiple games, completed just 47.7% of his passes, threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (8), and ended with a significantly lower passer rating (61.6). His disrupted season limited offseason development, leaving critical questions unanswered.

This isn't a normal Year 3. In experience terms, he's still a rookie.

The physical tools are undeniable. But Richardson's learning curve is still just beginning. And the Colts can’t pretend otherwise when making plans for Week 1.

 
Daniel Jones: The Bridge or the Blocker?

Enter Daniel Jones. Signed in the offseason, the former Giants starter brings over 60 starts of experience and a reputation for being just good enough to keep a team competitive.

He took first-team reps throughout minicamp and OTAs while Richardson rested his shoulder. Reports out of Indy suggest that Jones is ahead in the playbook, chemistry, and consistency.

So, who will start Week 1? The answer isn't simple, but the clues are starting to emerge.

 
Stats That Tell the Story

A side-by-side comparison reveals two very different quarterbacks:

Jones is safer and more efficient underneath. Richardson is more explosive and elusive, though raw and riskier. The question isn't who is better overall — it's who is ready now, and who gives you the best chance later.

But beyond the arm talent, there's a key layer this chart doesn't show: rushing ability.

Richardson is a true dual-threat quarterback and one of the most dangerous runners at the position. He averaged over 5 yards per carry in college, and his brief NFL sample flashed elite acceleration and power in short-yardage situations. That dynamic changes the geometry of the defense and opens lanes for Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, especially in read-option looks.

Jones is mobile and capable of scrambling for chunk yardage, but Richardson brings an entirely different level of explosiveness.

Who Starts Week 1?

Current signs point to a real battle during camp. Jones is healthy, practiced all offseason, and has the veteran savvy to manage Shane Steichen’s offense out of the gate. But Richardson is ramping up, and if he shows command of the offense in preseason, the decision gets murky.

There are strong arguments on both sides. Jones brings predictability and experience. Richardson brings a ceiling that, if healthy, could redefine the Colts’ offense. How they perform in August might determine who takes that first snap in September.

But even if Richardson regains the starting role, a larger question looms: has his shoulder injury permanently limited his upside? His accuracy issues and poor decision-making in 2024 seemed directly tied to discomfort and mechanical problems. Fantasy managers must consider if Richardson’s physical limitations are temporary hurdles or permanent obstacles.

Who Finishes the Season?

What happens by Week 17? That might tell us more about where this franchise is headed.

Will Richardson reclaim the job and show he's ready to lead the next era of Colts football? Will Jones prove steady enough to hold the reins throughout the year?

The deeper we go into the season, the more likely it becomes that Richardson finds his way back onto the field — but that path depends on performance, health, and the Colts’ place in the standings.

Chemistry Check: Who Benefits from the Weapons?

From a fantasy angle, QB preference also shapes the value of Colts pass-catchers.

Jones may lean more on short and intermediate routes, potentially boosting Josh Downs in the slot and giving steady targets to the tight ends.
Richardson has shown early rapport with Alec Pierce and flashed comfort with Jelani Woods, whose athleticism matches Richardson’s play-extending style.
If Richardson starts, expect more play-action, more deep shots, and more broken-play magic. If Jones starts, expect structure and rhythm-based distribution. Either way, the QB choice will shift how fantasy managers view this offense.

 
Fantasy Football Outlook (Dynasty & Redraft)

Redraft Leagues: If you're drafting for 2025 redraft formats, Daniel Jones is a viable late-round flier for superflex formats — but nothing more. His leash will be short.
Richardson is a boom-or-bust upside stash. If you can afford to wait, he could be a league-winner down the stretch.

Dynasty Leagues: Don’t panic yet — but temper expectations. Richardson remains one of the highest-upside dynasty quarterbacks under 25, but his injury-related regression in 2024 raises legitimate concerns.
If you’re rebuilding, carefully consider buying low—there’s real risk the injury could limit his long-term ceiling.
Jones is rosterable as a safer, short-term insurance option.
 
Conclusion

One quarterback is attempting a career reboot. The other, Richardson, is fighting injuries and setbacks to finally take flight. The Colts' quarterback room has become a tug-of-war between immediate reliability and long-term potential — between Daniel Jones' consistency and the uncertainty of Anthony Richardson’s health and upside.

We don't know who will win this battle yet. At the time I traded Richardson, it was to make space for my rookie draft. Given his continued struggles, I don’t regret that move under the circumstances.

But if he can get healthy, I believe he deserves one more year to prove himself. He still remains stash-worthy in dynasty formats.

To get a fuller picture of fantasy relevant Colts players, check out Kevin Campbell's article: Relevant Players: Indianapolis Colts