2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Indianapolis Colts stand at quarterback?

Apr 18, 2025 - 18:00

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2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Indianapolis Colts stand at quarterback?

With the NFL draft almost here, we will be taking a position-by-position look at the current state of the Indianapolis Colts' roster. Up first, let's start at quarterback.

Who's on the roster at quarterback for the Colts?

Anthony Richardson
Daniel Jones
Jason Bean

Free agency moves at quarterback

From their 2024 roster, the Colts chose not to re-sign quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Sam Ehlinger, with neither of those moves coming as a surprise. Flacco ended up signing with Cleveland, and Ehlinger with Denver.

With the Colts wanting to have an "open competition" for the starting quarterback role this summer, they prioritized bringing in Daniel Jones, who signed a one-year, $14 million deal that could be worth as much as $17.7 million.

As head coach Shane Steichen said, Jones and Richardson will split the starting reps once the Colts are able to get on the practice field, and ultimately, the most consistent of the two will be named the starter.

"He’s had production,” Steichen said of Jones via the Indy Star at the NFL league meetings. “Won a playoff game, career 64% completion percentage, high football IQ. Everyone I’ve talked to in the vetting process had nothing but great things to say. Phenomenal worker, loves the game.”

Jones joins the Colts with 69 career NFL starts under his belt over six seasons. As Steichen mentions, Jones has been a fairly efficient passer in his career, although between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, generating chunk plays has been an issue, with Jones averaging just 5.9 yards per pass attempt during that span. He also threw more interceptions as well.

Need in the NFL draft

This isn't a pressing need by any means, but I would guess that adding to the quarterback position, particularly on Day 3, is on GM Chris Ballard's radar.

For one, under Steichen, the Colts have had three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, so bringing in some competition for Jason Bean would be the prudent move.

But in addition to that, regardless of who the starting quarterback is out of training camp, there are still going to be a lot of unknowns around this position, both in 2025 and beyond, until proven otherwise.

While the Colts shouldn't bank on a Day 3 pick ever being more than a backup, it wouldn't be the worst idea to continuously have a developmental prospect on the roster at the game's most important position--and that goes not only for the Colts but the rest of the NFL. When in doubt, give yourself as many options as possible.