The Indianapolis Colts are facing an unusual situation at quarterback. This season, the job will likely come down to either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. Richardson hasn’t lived up to the hype so far, and Jones has yet to prove himself in a new setting. Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians believes Richardson should have stayed in college longer to refine his skills.
“Anthony, I think needed two more years of college... as a passer. I didn’t see him being able to beat anybody in 2-minute & 3rd down. If you can’t do that in the NFL you’re just an average guy,” Arians said.
This season feels like a make-or-break moment for Richardson. If he doesn’t perform, it could mark his final stretch with the Colts organization.
“So, if there was ever a time for Richardson to put the pieces together in his development as a pro quarterback, now is certainly the moment to present that before he finds himself at risk of losing his starting job,” Sports Illustrated’s Jared Koch wrote.
While the NFL Draft is often seen as a prime opportunity to land a franchise quarterback, the Colts’ investment in Richardson hasn’t paid off—at least not yet. Looking ahead, Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante projects the Colts selecting Garrett Nussmeier in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Should the Indianapolis Colts finish with a top-10 pick in 2026, an argument could be made that they look to draft a quarterback to move on from Anthony Richardson. And in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, they do just that. Garrett Nussmeier isn’t the flashiest QB, but he’s accurate, smart, and calm under pressure. His pocket presence and decision-making stand out. LSU has quietly become a factory for pro-ready quarterbacks, and Nussmeier could be next in line,” Infante wrote.
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Nussmeier could have entered the NFL already, but chose to return to LSU in pursuit of a National Championship. He’ll be in the league soon, and depending on how this season plays out for the Colts, he could have a real shot to start right away.