Indianapolis hasn’t had stability at quarterback since Andrew Luck’s injury and abrupt retirement in 2019. Having missed four straight postseasons in a winnable AFC South, the Colts are getting desperate to find the right man. They thought using a 4th overall on Anthony Richardson could lock down their QB position for the next decade. However, it was far from what the Colts expected. After last season’s QB circus revolving around Richardson, the Colts have pitted two desperate QBs against each other. Their GM, Chris Ballard, is betting this formula would finally help them move to the next level. But it will come at the cost of one QB’s future in the NFL.

Given the way Richardson has failed to impress in his first two seasons. The Colts saw an opportunity in Daniel Jones and brought him to Indy to compete with their supposed franchise QB. Ballard also went on record to say, “Between Daniel and Anthony, you’re going to see a really good competition. It’s going to be spirited competition.” To be honest, competition is exactly the thing both Richardson and Jones need right now.

Last year, Richardson had a league-low 47.7% pass completion rate. He threw just 8 TDs and turned the football over with 12 picks and nine costly fumbles. Anthony did score 6 TDs on the ground, showing his incredible athleticism. But those aren’t the numbers you expect from a starting QB. Considering it was Joe Flacco pushing him from the bench, and failed miserably when given the opportunity. Richardson wasn’t pushed to his limits as he won back the job soon after. Now, with Flacco gone and Jones coming in with a chip on his shoulder to prove himself.

It’s now or never for Anthony Richardson to be the Colts’ undisputed starter. As for Ballard, he doesn’t envision either of them nailing down the starting spot. He feels it’s going to be a power struggle that will only benefit the Colts. “If I’m a betting man, at some point, both of them will help us,” Ballard claims. Given that both Richardson and Jones have had their fair share of injury struggles, Ballard betting on two of his QBs to start seems wise.

However, how good they are going to be next season, that’s something only time will tell. Ballard and the whole Colts Nation may be excited for this battle. But if both fail to impress, it seems their GM also has another backup plan.

Chris Ballard didn’t rule out a 3rd QB

Indy may not have the requirement for a third-string QB. But Ballard hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of adding one if he is special. On his pre-draft conference, Ballard said, “I think if you look every year. Even when we had Andrew Luck we brought quarterbacks in. I think you do that all the time. And we also, believe it or not, we worked out a couple. We went and visited a couple. I think you do that every year.” This year, the Colts are in need of a 3rd QB as Sam Ehlinger left to join the Broncos. So, considering there’s still a hole left to fill in their QB room, the Colts hosted Texas QB Quinn Ewers.

Ewers, who is predicted to be a Day 2 prospect, was a top-30 visit for the Colts. Quinn had a breakout year in his first season as a starter for Texas. He threw 22 TDs to just 6 interceptions as he led the Longhorns to a College Football playoff run. Last season, Ewers may have improved on his TDs (31). But his interceptions and pass completion rating took a massive hit. His picks doubled from 2023 while his pass completion rate fell from 69% to 65.8%.

So, he might still be a raw talent with upside potential. And considering the Colts already have two QBs fighting for the No.1 spot. Ewers could learn from them and possibly get a chance to compete if both of them start floundering. But will the Colts really add another QB? Well, the answer will be out once the draft kicks off in Wisconsin 3 days from now.