The Indianapolis Colts have set their sights on starting quarterback for 2025

The Anthony Richardson the experiment will continue through at least the 2025 season for Indianapolis Colts.

NFL NetworkIan Rapoport reports The Colts consider Richardson the presumptive starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The Colts have been very impressed with the strides Richardson has made both on and off the field since being benched ahead of Indy’s Week 9 contest with Minnesota Vikings.

“Indy brass has been pleased with how he responded off the bench prior to Week 9 and how his attention to detail and preparation has increased as a result,” Rapoport wrote.

Richardson has been key to the Colts going 3-2 since being reinstated into the starting lineup. Whether it’s on the ground or through the air, Richardson has made plays and earned the Colts’ confidence that he can be their starter in the future. Last week was a perfect example of Richardson coming through in the clutch, making first downs with his arms and legs to prevent a comeback attempt from Tennessee Titans.

“In last week’s win, with the game on the line, Richardson’s 10-yard pass to Michael Pittman on third-and-8 with two minutes left to essentially ice the game was an example of the team trusting him and Richardson delivered,” Rapoport said. “It was an important step forward for all parties.”

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Giving Richardson another year as the Colts’ starting quarterback was always the right move and the most logical path forward for the team in 2025. Richardson is still only 22 years old and learning to play the position at the NFL level. Although he has shown tremendous flashes, Richardson still has a lot to improve and the process was always going to be long for him to succeed.

This offseason will be crucial to Richardson’s development and future in Indy. Richardson can spend the offseason working on his fundamentals, honing his accuracy and gaining a better understanding of the game. The young quarterback couldn’t make much progress in those areas last offseason as he rehabbed his surgically repaired AC joint and worked to get back on the field for the Colts’ offseason program.

The Colts also have more experience with Richardson and a better understanding of how to get the most out of their quarterback. Head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter have used Richardson more as a runner since his benching and have worked to get Richardson easy throws early in the game to get him in rhythm.

For Richardson to succeed in 2025 and beyond, he needs to be in sync with Steichen and Cooter with a clear vision of how the offense will work. A successful offseason of improvements with his mechanics and accuracy combined with a better game plan to use Richardson could lead to the former No. 4 picks solidify as the Colts’ franchise quarterback moves forward. Failure to do so could mean moving on from Richardson in 2026 and rebuilding from top to bottom.

Richardson will not play in today’s matchup with New York Giants and he is dealing with back spasms that have limited his range of motion and mobility all week. Joe Flacco will get the start in Richardson’s place and needs a win to keep the Colts’ playoff hopes alive.

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