Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the team decided to decline the fifth-year option on his contract in April. The Colts permitted him to seek a trade partner, but he has been unable to find a new suitor. Richardson may not have much fantasy value heading into 2026, but it could all change when he eventually gets a chance for a change of scenery. The 24-year-old still possesses his rare athleticism and scrambling ability to be a QB1 in fantasy football. In a small sample size, we have seen Richardson outproduce some of the league's best quarterbacks in fantasy and post big fantasy numbers. It may be a long shot, but with patience, Richardson could be given a starting role next season and be projected yet again as a worthy QB1 option solely on his rushing ability
Think back to last offseason. What were your expectations for the Indianapolis Colts? Remember that last year saw Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson fighting to be the starting quarterback while neither had a training camp to write home about. I’m not saying all fans felt impending doom, but if you’re being honest, you’ve felt better. The bar was low. This offseason, however, is up in the air. It could go either way, and that has to make Colts fans feel less than comfortable. The low bar was quickly cleared in 2025 and then came crashing down on top of the Colts by season’s end. That is what has made this offseason so hard to predict. Which version of the 2025 Colts will we get? There were two historic halves, both incredible in their own right. Fans are obviously hoping for the first half, but there are major flies in that ointment. The quarterback is working his way back from an Achilles injury and the number one receiver is recovering from ankle surgery. There are more components that make up an offense, but any team that loses players at those two positions is going to feel it. Add in the fact that rumors are swirling about a potential Jonathan Taylor trade and things feel even dicier. Wanting another hot start coupled with a strong finish becomes much harder when staring down the barrel of that type of potential reality. If Taylor is gone or Jones, Pierce, or both start the season on the shelf, nerves will reach a fever pitch. While there is still time between now and the regular season, the clock is starting to wind down on preseason activities. Miss too much time and a player might not be able to ramp up in time. The updates are positive, but how many times have we seen positive updates end in disappointing setbacks? The future is unknown, but the Colts are treading dangerously towards a rocky start. You might just have to hold your breath a little while longer. i
Following Team USA's exit from the World Cup, this article speculates on NFL players whose careers have stalled or could benefit from a different sport, suggesting they might have aided the soccer team. Players like Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones are discussed as examples of those whose NFL paths have become uncertain
This time last year, we were debating Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones . Now we’re debating whether or not Jones is worth $50 million per year. Coming off a breakout season, Jones would be a safe bet to stay hot in 2026, but a torn Achilles muddies the waters for his second season in Indianapolis . 2026 Rotoworld Fantasy Football Team Previews Hub Get ready for 2026 fantasy football drafts with in-depth previews for all 32 teams throughout the summer. Rotoworld Staff , Points per game: 27.4 (8th) Total yards per game: 345.9 (9th) Plays per game: 59.9 (19th) Dropbacks per game: 37.9 (19th) Dropback EPA per play: 0.1 (11th) Designed rush attempts per game: 25.4 (20th) Rush EPA per play: 0.05 (1st) Shane Steichen and the Colts entered the 2025 season at a crossroads. The team desperately wanted Richardson to be a thing, but Jones had different plans. He decisively won that camp battle and never looked back. Jones was putting up career efficiency numbers midway through the season and Steichen looked like a lock to make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons as the Colts’ boss. The Colts were at 8-0, but even before Jones suffered his season-ending Achilles injury, cracks in the facade were beginning to form. His efficiency dropped in his final five games and the Colts lost four of those contests. Things got so bad after Jones went down that Phillip Rivers was drawn out of retirement for “one last job” that went as well as it does in the movies. The late-season collapse left Steichen out of the playoffs for the third time in three tries. The Colts bet the house on this iteration of the roster when they brought back Jones and Alec Pierce on pricey deals. It’s now or never for Steichen and his staff. QB: Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard , Anthony Richardson WR: Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin WR: Josh Downs , Anthony Gould WR: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine , Deion Burks TE: Tyler Warren , Mo Alie-Cox We’ll get to Jones’ midseason slump in a minute, but viewing his Colts debut as a whole, he was wildly impressive. Jones ranked top-10 in both EPA per play and completion percent over expected. Pro Football Focus charted him with top-10 rates of both accurate and accurate plus throws. Add in five rushing touchdowns and Jones was on pace to finish as the QB8 by points per game before exiting Week 14 early. This, however, isn’t the complete story. Jones turned the ball over a staggering five times in Week 9 versus the Steelers . He stemmed the bleeding on bad plays over the next few weeks but still struggled in most efficiency metrics. Four of his five worst games by EPA per play came from Week 9 to Week 14. Jones went from averaging .344 EPA per play over his first eight games to -.03 over his final five. The big shift was his inability to handle pressure. Jones threw six touchdowns and had a 9.8 percent pressure-to-sack rate in his early-season split. Those numbers dropped to one score and a 22 percent P2S when defenses got to him from Week 9 onward. Jones has never been particularly good under pressure, so maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that his numbers came crashing back to earth. Even if that aspect of his game is here to stay, it’s also hard to deny how efficient he was to start the season. All signs point to Jones being ready for Week 1, and fantasy managers are only being asked to pay a QB25 pricetag to find out who the real Daniel Jones is. As long as Jones retains his deep ball, Alec Pierce will be happy. The veteran wideout posted a breakout season in 2025 with 1,007 yards on a paltry 47 grabs. He scored seven times and led the league in yards per reception for the second season in a row. Despite the career year, Pierce’s role as a modest-volume deep threat didn’t change. He simply hit more home runs than the previous season. It was the first 1,000-yard season for a player with an aDOT over 20 since the turn of the century. There have only been five 20+ aDOT seasons accompanied by even 700 yards over that timeframe. Naturall
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The NFL summer opened with two colossal post-June 1 trades. The Rams acquired Myles Garrett , and the Patriots secured A.J. Brown . The trade market has been almost entirely silent in the month since, with new Falcons tackle Wanya Morris representing the only other player on the move. That might change between now and the 2026 season opener, though. Numerous players have been at the center of trade talks throughout the offseason, and developments in training camp might be what it takes to get potential transactions over the hump. Injuries in practice are inevitable and will open roster spots for these trade candidates. Contract disputes also tend to heat up as the campaign nears, which can prompt action. Here are eight players who could find themselves on new teams before Week 1. The San Francisco 49ers already went so far as to say Brandon Aiyuk will not play another game in the Bay Area . The real question is how his dramatic saga will end. Less than two years ago, the former first-rounder signed a four-year, $120 million contract and looked like a star wide receiver in the making. But in the time since, he sustained a devastating knee injury, the 49ers voided his guaranteed money for 2026 and he unleashed a social media tirade against his team . Aiyuk made it as clear as day that he wants to link up with his college teammate, Jayden Daniels , and sign with the Washington Commanders . It is uncertain whether the Commanders -- or any team, for that matter -- want anything to do with a receiver whose best days might be behind him and whose public image deteriorates every time he takes a jab at his current team. His trade value has never been lower, so San Francisco might simply end up cutting him. General manager John Lynch has all the leverage, though, and can see if a trade suitor arises before nixing the contract. It was just three years ago that Anthony Richardson flew off the draft board as the No. 4 overall pick. With just 15 starts under his belt and two lost seasons due to injury, his stock has never been lower. There is no real market for his services, as evidenced by his remaining on the Indianapolis Colts ' roster despite the team allowing him to seek a trade all the way back in February. As quarterback battles settle across the league and the need for backups increases over the next two months, though, perhaps Richardson will rise in value. The Colts declined Richardson's fifth-year option while extending starter Daniel Jones , even amid the latter's recovery from a torn Achilles. The money tells an unambiguous story: If Richardson wants to stay in Indianapolis beyond 2026, it will be in a backup role for backup money. While the Colts might be content with holding onto the athletic weapon in a No. 2 role, they are clearly open to moving him, and they would be better served to get something in return than to simply watch him walk in free agency next spring. Two starting-caliber receivers joined the New England Patriots this offseason, blocking the path for Kayshon Boutte to rise into a more prominent role. With A.J. Brown arriving via trade and Romeo Doubs signing in free agency, the reigning AFC champions not only filled the spot vacated by Stefon Diggs but also potentially upgraded their receiving corps by an order of magnitude. Seeing the writing on the wall, Boutte reportedly wants out. Boutte "has been interested in a trade" and foresees action on that front this summer, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on his podcast last month . While Boutte started 23 games over the last two years and emerged as a perennial 500-yard receiver for a rising offense, his position is no longer one of need, which could lead the Patriots to pursue his interest in a departure in order to address new deficiencies like depth on the offensive line and at edge rusher. Conflicting reports over the last month created uncertainty over Josh Sweat's future with the Arizona Cardinals . Most recently, ESPN reported that the edge rusher will [... truncated ...]
Colts fans are most interested in the QB2 battle between Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard, with Daniel Jones returning from injury and Philip Rivers' past unretirement adding intrigue to the backup situation
Once, many years ago, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski were in Indianapolis ahead of a "Monday Night Football" game, and Gruden noticed Peyton Manning's backups weren't getting any reps., Gruden asked legendary offensive mind Tom Moore why that was the case. It berthed an all-time great quote. "Fellas, if 18 [Manning] goes down, we're f---ed," Moore said, according to Jaworski's account in The Games That Changed The Game . "And we don't practice f---ed." That's one way to view a backup quarterback. If he's on the field, the team is already in deep trouble. And in Manning's case, that proved true. When he missed the 2011 season, the Colts went 2-14. The other way to view backup quarterbacks is that they're important players and could be the most important player at the drop of a dime. Whether it's for a play, a drive, a game or more, having a good insurance plan is crucial. Last year, quarterbacks who weren't the Week 1 starter ended up starting nearly 130 games. Some of the NFL's top teams -- think playoff outfits such as the 49ers ( Mac Jones ), Packers ( Malik Willis ) and Texans ( Davis Mills ) -- got key wins with their starting quarterback out. Other teams lost those opportunities when their starters were out; the Ravens went 0-2 and managed a measly 13 points in Cooper Rush's two starts, for example. So, who's in the best shape if their starter goes down in 2026? These are the top 10 backup quarterback situations across the league. (NOTE: Excluded are three quarterback battles still TBD: the Vikings ( Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy ), the Falcons ( Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr. ) and the Browns ( Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders ). Anthony Richardson's on-field lows have been as low as any passer, and when you add the significant injury history to the equation, it's fair to question why he's on this list. In 2024, when he started 11 games, he finished 33rd in expected points added per play, ahead of only Cooper Rush, Gardner Minshew and Will Levis . He was wildly off-target (17.6% of his throws were deemed off-target, the second-worst number of the last decade), and he threw eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It wasn't good enough. But the big plays, plus the idea that he could improve, earned him a spot. He led the NFL in yards per completion in 2024. Obviously, there were far too few completions, but the big-play ability is there, given his absolute bazooka of a right arm. Furthermore, Richardson's rushing ability is a major plus, especially on designed quarterback runs. He's a hammer at the goal line, but even more impressive, he had an 18% explosive rush rate from 2023-24, third in the NFL behind only Drake Maye and Kyler Murray. Could he have a Malik Willis-esque rebirth in another place, as a clearly talented player in need of refinement? Maybe. Could he appear in a pinch as a backup and be a disaster? Maybe. Could he appear in a pinch and have a positive impact with his legs? Maybe. He remains a great unknown. This is, quite simply, a bet on development and Ben Johnson. Tyson Bagent was a fun story three seasons ago, when, as an undrafted rookie, he led Chicago to a pair of wins in a lost season. Never mind that he threw two times as many interceptions (six) as touchdowns (three) in his cameo; it was fun, and the lanky D-II product showed some tools. Bagent has thrown six regular-season passes since Caleb Williams arrived in Chicago. But last year, right before the season, the Bears extended him on a two-year deal. If he's good enough for Johnson, who already looks like one of the NFL's top coaches, to deem him a worthy backup, he's good enough to make this list. The Eagles curiously traded for Andy Dalton in March, which seemed to signal Tanner McKee's time in the City of Brotherly Love might be ending. Selecting Cole Payton in the fifth round a month later only furthered that line of thinking. Yet here we are in June, and the Eagles have four quarterbacks on the roster. Maybe that changes betw
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With the team’s veteran minicamp recently behind us, it’s now a countdown to Indianapolis Colts training camp in late July, meaning it’s officially the slow part of the NFL offseason. Still among the burning questions for Colts fans right now, starts at the league’s most important position. That’s the starting quarterback position with Indy’s new ‘100 million man’ (with earned incentives of course), Daniel Jones , still recovering from a season-ending torn Achilles injury suffered last year. While Jones has been progressing well in his ongoing recovery, even throwing in 7-on-7 on-field drills during the team’s recent veteran mini-camp and reportedly running full sprints after practice, that’s still a whole lot different than a 300 pound defensive lineman hunting you in the pocket and having to stop and plant on a dime to deliver an accurate throw, or perhaps even take a big hit in the process. That being said, the expectation is that Jones will progress to 11-on-11 drills when training camp kicks off in a few weeks, and 70% of Colts fans believe he’ll be ready for the team’s regular season opener on September 13th when Indianapolis hosts the Baltimore Ravens : Now, whether “ready”, means fully physically ready probably isn’t one-in-the-same. Specifically, it may take Jones at least a full year to fully recover from the significant lower leg injury—if he does at all in his career. Having suffered the injury late during Week 14 of last year, Week 1 is still way early for that timeline. Of concern for the Colts is also who will be backing up Jones, as both 4th-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and 2nd-year passer Riley Leonard are battling for the primary quarterback job behind him. Richardson has formally requested a trade earlier this offseason, while Leonard is coming off an impressive start during the regular season finale last year. Colts head coach Shane Steichen has indicated that it’s a ‘50-50 split’ in reps between the two quarterbacks during team workouts and practices, and that neither quarterback is ahead of the other right now. If Richardson actually remains with the team, that should change during training camp and preseason—as one quarterback should separate form the other—at least in Steichen’s eyes. However, whether that’s because they don’t anticipate Richardson still being with the team, is unclear, but 61% of Colts fans believe that Leonard will ultimately win Indy’s QB2 job outright:
The Colts spent this offseason implementing the Seahawks method of roster construction. Retaining one side of the ball, while making wholesale changes on the other in order to get younger and to fit the scheme of the new coordinator. However, there are still holes on this roster. Not 2024 secondary sized holes, but significant holes that need to be patched up between now and week one. At this point in the year, you’re rarely going to be able to make a season-altering move, but you can still make small improvements to the roster. Here are three guys that could do that I am still very high on Keenan Allen. Why’s that? Last year he probably was pound-for-pound one of the best value signings in the league. He caught over 80 passes for 700+ yards on a 1-year $3million dollar deal. Chargers are running a really basic concept called “Smash-Drive”. Keenan and Ladd are running a smash concept where they are putting a hi-lo stretch on the boundary corner. Herbert will throw the ball to either Ladd or Keenan based off of the reaction of that corner. If none of that is there, there’s a drive concept working back into his line of vision from the backside. Watch Keenan’s release on this play. He’s trying to make it look like some sort of pick route. That gets McDuffie to plant on the flat route from Ladd and prevent him from sinking on the 7 route in the end-zone. If nothing else, it shows that it’s possible to have a WR at his age be a valuable role player. Keenan Allen is known for his football IQ and he could still be a quality depth piece for the Colts, especially as they lost their veteran presence in Michael Pittman Jr. The ceiling is very low, but the floor can be solid. If you asked me to choose between Keenan Allen, Ashton Dulin , or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.. I don’t think there’s anyone overly outstanding. That means the more depth the better. I think we have to address the elephant in the room for this exercise. Both the Colts and Anthony Richardson REALLY REALLY REALLY want to work out a trade. It’s for the best. The Colts are doing everything they can to pump up his value, but the reality is that there isn’t any right now. And to be honest, I think that’s probably fair. Ask yourself this: How many GMs and HCs can afford to give up assets to develop a fourth-year QB with very limited reps who is coming back from a very serious eye injury? Not many. If Anthony Richardson was a free agent, I think his market would be more lucrative. I think a lot of people would love to take a flyer on Anthony Richardson, they just don’t want to pay to do it. That being said, desperation will kick in or Anthony’s team will probably just request his release. I will never say never, but I think the chances are very slim that the Colts just let Anthony Richardson sit on the bench for the remainder of his rookie contract. (People around the league are thinking this too by the way). And when the Colts make that move, they’ll need a QB to replace him. Who could that QB be? Cooper Rush could be intriguing. I think he had some sub par starts, which is what you’d expect if he ever had to start a game in a pinch. If Jimmy G doesn’t decide to retire, that’s the type of QB that could move the needle for this coaching staff. But those aren’t really exciting. This might sound crazy… But then again, the Colts just brought Philip Rivers out of retirement. So is anything really off the table anymore? What if the Colts brought back Gardner Minshew ? I know he’s coming off the injury, but other than that, you know EXACTLY what you’re getting with him. He knows the system, the coach loves him, and a lot of the same players have played with him. That’s all you could want in a backup QB. Whether it’s part of a trade, or an eventual signing, I think that’s a move the organization would welcome. 8.5 sacks last year… Does Clowney have any gas left in the tank? He might? This would be an uncharacteristic move, but you have to at least form some sort of link be
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With the 2017 through 2022 classes already reviewed, the next stop in the Chris Ballard draft review series is 2023. This one is difficult to evaluate because it is still fairly recent, but enough time has passed to start making some firm judgments. Unfortunately for the Colts, most of those judgments are not flattering. This class is defined by Anthony Richardson, and when the fourth overall pick fails to become the franchise quarterback, the entire draft takes a major hit. The Colts also missed badly on Julius Brents , another premium pick in the top 50. That is a brutal start to any class. Josh Downs and Jaylon Jones keep this from becoming a complete disaster. Downs has become a tremendous slot receiver and one of the best picks of the Ballard era relative to where he was taken. Jones has given the Colts strong seventh-round return as a depth corner and spot starter. Adebawore has also developed into a useful rotational piece. But when the first two picks are misses, especially at quarterback and cornerback, there is only so much the rest of the class can do to save the grade. Richardson is the most complicated pick to grade, but the final answer is still pretty clear. For a fourth overall pick, he has been a bust. There is no other way about it. The occasional flashes keep him from being an F. There were moments where the athletic tools looked special, and you could see why the Colts took the swing. His size, arm strength and mobility created plays that very few quarterbacks can make. But those moments were not enough. His play on the field has mostly been poor. The accuracy has not been consistent. The processing and decision-making have not developed enough. He has struggled to make reads, struggled to stay healthy, and has not shown the maturity or command needed from a franchise quarterback. You can make excuses for the development plan, the injuries, the supporting cast, or the coaching. Some of those excuses may even be fair, but the bottom line is that Richardson has not become a quarterback the Colts can trust. When you take someone fourth overall, the expectation is franchise-altering impact. Richardson did not provide that or even come close to providing that. Grade: D Brents was another major miss. The Colts bet on size and athleticism, which has been a recurring theme with Ballard. Brents had the long frame and physical traits teams like in outside cornerbacks, but the pick never came close to working out. Injuries crushed his time in Indianapolis. He appeared in only 11 games, which is a terrible return for a top-50 pick. When he was on the field, the play was okay in flashes, but nowhere close to good enough to justify the draft slot. Availability is a big part of the evaluation. Brents simply was not available enough to help the team, and when he did play, the impact was limited. For a second-round pick, this was a clear failure. Grade: F Downs saves this draft from completely falling apart. He has become a tremendous slot receiver, and I think he can be more than just that. Downs runs routes at a high level, separates with quickness, works efficiently in and out of breaks, and has become a reliable third-down option. He gives the offense consistency, timing and trust. He is the type of player quarterbacks love because he gets open when the offense needs it most. The Colts found an excellent receiver in the third round, and that is one of the better picks from this entire stretch of Ballard drafts. Downs has already become a key offensive piece and still has room to grow. If Richardson and Brents had worked out, Downs would be viewed as the finishing touch to a strong class. Instead, he is the player keeping the class from being ugly. Grade: A- Freeland has been a backup swing tackle, but the results have not been very encouraging. He has not been asked to do a ton, which is probably for the best. When he has been on the field, the play has been poor. He does not consistently show th
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Anything is possible. Let’s get that out of the way. Daniel Jones isn’t the second coming of Peyton Manning . Let’s get that out of the way too. With that said, a recent take on Bleacher Report has Jones listed as one of eight quarterbacks most likely to be benched in 2026. This isn’t to say Jones will for sure ride the pine for the Indianapolis Colts at some point this season, but he is saying there is a chance. Is he right? Anything is possible. Did I already say that? Jones has had his share of ups and downs. The New York Giants grew tired of his inconsistent play, the turnovers, and the injuries. He didn’t have enough appeal for the Vikings to truly get into the bidding war for his services last year either. One playoff appearance and quite a few losing seasons mar his name. Jones is far from perfect, but the Colts rewarded him handsomely for his efforts with a contract that could be up to $100 million over the next two years. There is an out, but would they eat the money and sit him midseason if things go sideways? Shane Steichen isn’t afraid to send a message. Anthony Richardson and Adonai Mitchell were both benched and never got back into good favor. They are both younger than Jones, who appears to have a more refined professionalism about him, but that doesn’t mean he is safe. If his play is truly deplorable, his saving grace is that there is no one behind him to take his spot. Past confidence from Steichen in both Richardson and Riley Leonard is tepid at best. That could change with a good offseason, but that is Jones’ best route at keeping his job, regardless of performance. Once again, he is expensive. Teams hate to put the most expensive person on the roster on the sidelines, but check with Kirk Cousins to see if a team would do that. The NFL is a cutthroat business. Jobs are on the line. If Jones starts the year out losing five or six of the first seven games and looks totally lost, the heat from up top might be enough for Steichen to pull the trigger if he lasts that long himself. Anything is possible. Daniel Jones’ career indicates he isn’t a lock even if the Colts are paying him like one. The depth behind him is shallow, and he may be too expensive to fail. Many hopes and dreams are riding on his repaired Achilles. Just because he holds the keys, that doesn’t mean he gets to drive this bus into a wall without Shane Steichen grabbing the wheel. Anything is possible though, especially with the Colts
The Colts were presented with a challenging decision in regards to Daniel Jones ’ contract in 2026. On the surface signing him back was a no-brainer. He led the Colts to one of the most prolific offensive starts we’ve seen in quite some time. He commanded the huddle and was finally someone Shane Steichen felt like he could trust. More importantly the alternatives to having someone else were scarce. Were you going to go back to Anthony Richardson, the QB the staff had essentially given up on? No. Were you going to insert yourself in the Kyler Murray or Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, and ride the QB carousel yet again? No. Were you going to draft a QB without a first round pick with plenty of other needs on the roster? No. So Daniel Jones had leverage in the situation. But there also is an elephant in the room. Daniel Jones has unfortunately struggled to remain healthy… and just tore his achilles which ended eventually the Colts’ season as well. So there was obviously a lot to think through. The Colts eventually landed on a two year deal that I think was fair for all involved. To boil it down gives the Colts the length they desired with the compensation that Jones’ desired. So what now? What can we expect? It goes without saying this is a prove-it year for Daniel Jones. Not that he hasn’t proved he can be successful with the Colts, he’s already proven that. Instead that he can prove that the beginning of the 2025 season wasn’t just a flash in the pan. This play from Daniel Jones first start with the Colts always stands out to me because it shows something the Colts have been lacking at the position for a long time.. true command of the huddle. Watch him ID the pressure with a hard count and then flip the protection while getting Down on a out breaking hot route to move the sticks. And it wasn’t just one play either. Daniel Jones worst enemy in New York was undoubtedly pressure. Teams blitzed him like crazy for that reason. That was until he developed real trust. Trust with his offensive line to block it, trust with his wide receivers to punish it, and trust with his play caller to give him the answers for it. Anthony Weaver and Vance Joseph (the Colts first two opponents to start the year) blitzed Jones like crazy.. and they paid the price. It was surgical, methodical, and downright frustrating for defenses that thought they could roll out the blueprint that had been used ever since Daniel Jones got into the league. But it wasn’t until Jeff Ulbirch threw the kitchen sink at the Colts in Germany that the trend unraveled a bit. Jones inability to move in the pocket made it harder to trust the things he was so used to trusting.. after all he was playing through injury trying to protect himself on every drop back. So the question becomes.. will that continue? Daniel Jones wasn’t just demonstrating trust with his ability to combat pressure, he was also demonstrating his ability to diagnose pre and post snap pictures and throw on time with confidence. Colts are running a very popular route combination in their offense: a crosser and an in-cut. When Daniel Jones sees that the buzz defender is going clog up the initial crosser by Downs, he knows he can keep him in that spot and rip the in-cut coming behind it from Pierce. He puts this ball in the perfect spot at the perfect time… while knowing he’s about to take a massive hit in a crucial spot in the game. Those were the early successes. The ones the Colts need to see continue. But it be disingenuous to not talk about the failures. We’ve already talked about Jones’ struggle to stay healthy, but we didn’t talk about the spike in turnovers. Around the bye week you could start to feel Jones stray from the fundamentals that had given him so much success in the early part of the season. He didn’t have an interception problem, but rather a fumbling problem. The Colts offense was moving so efficiently, that Jones really wasn’t used to having to sacrifice negative plays. Outside of the
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The Colts were one of the best teams in the NFL over the first half of last season and entered their Week 11 bye with an 8-2 record. But that's when the schedule turned brutal, with both games against the Texans and Jaguars down the stretch along with road trips to Kansas City and Seattle plus a home game against the 49ers. To make matters worse, starting QB Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury that left the team scrambling at quarterback. Jones' recovery will likely dictate how 2026 goes for Indianapolis, as the Colts seem likely to head into the season with Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson again behind him on the depth chart. We're taking a look at everything you need to know before making Indianapolis Colts futures bets below, including odds, trends, 2026 schedule, offseason changes and more before sharing our preseason betting strategy for the team. Odds are via DraftKings. Fans interested in betting on NFL and Super Bowl futures should check out the latest DraftKings promo code . The market hasn't been impressed with the Colts' offseason, as their win total market projection has dropped from just shy of 8.5 to slightly better than 7.5. However, if Jones continues to receive positive health updates after participating in drills at OTAs, that could change as Shane Steichen has managed to win at least eight games in each of his three seasons coaching the team while juggling quarterbacks. Since last winning the division title in 2014, the Colts have managed fewer than seven wins twice and more than nine wins twice, with six seasons at eight or nine wins. The defining trait of that period has been instability at quarterback, as the team has finished with seven different leading passers in seven seasons since Andrew Luck's surprise retirement. If you want to wager on NFL futures, you have to check out the latest FanDuel promo code . The Colts ranking fifth in DVOA suggests their first half shouldn't just be written off as solely due to their schedule, and Pythagorean wins (based on point differential) put them closer to a 10-win team than an 8-9 team. Not only did Indy rank top 10 in yards per pass and run play on offense, the Colts played strong situational football and led the league in goal to go situations. The defense finished second in yards allowed per rush but struggled more against the pass and ranked just 26th in sack rate. Most of the Colts' focus this offseason was on defense, including bringing in two potential new starters with their first two picks in linebacker C.J. Allen and safety A.J. Cauley. Not as much was done to address the mediocre pass rush with Arden Key the primary new face. On offense, the sole move of note involves bringing in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to replace Michael Pittman in the offense, with the team's loss at right tackle expected to be addressed internally after Jalen Travis played well in limited action as a rookie. Before you wager on NFL or Super Bowl futures, head over to our BetMGM promo code to see a great offer. The Colts have a brutal three-game start to the season with facing the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans before a trip to London, so things could get ugly early, particularly if Jones isn't ready for Week 1. They'll get to scrap a road game for international play, and the schedule gets more manageable after that, with plenty of winnable home games on tap. If you want to tail R.J. White and other SportsLine and CBS experts, check out the latest Caesars Sportsbook promo code . Steichen has worked wonders with what he's been given during his tenure as quarterbacks have come and gone, but this team appears to be a house of cards ready to fall. I can't expect the offense to look anything like it did last year with Jones coming off a major injury plus questionable receiving depth, and this team could be one or two key injuries away from focusing on the pursuit of the No. 1 overall pick, particularly with a tough opening two months on the schedule. Those looking to take a li
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The Indianapolis Colts signed backup quarterback Easton Stick and waived Seth Henigan. The team also added offensive lineman Josh Kreutz and cornerback Jai'Onte' Milligan, while releasing cornerback Wyett Ekeler and offensive guard LaDarius Henderson. Anthony Richardson Sr. remains on the trade block
Trade winds are a-blowing. It wasn't a big offseason for player movement across the NFL – until June 1. Blockbuster, at least in the form of trades, was back in business for a day in the league as the Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles dealt A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots . Those league-altering type of moves were something straight out of the NBA's playbook with draft picks and players being exchanged like they were going out of style. When the dust settled, the Rams established themselves as a Super Bowl favorite next season. It's the type of move that could inspire other teams to keep up and take a big swing of their own. The big stars aren't likely available on the trade market anymore, but there are some pieces that could help in other ways. In a world that never likes to live in the moment, it's only natural to wonder what's next. Here's a look at some of the players around the league that could be involved in the next trade call. OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) Richardson was given permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason , but nothing has come to fruition. The 24-year-old quarterback is an interesting candidate on the market, given that he has all the tools to be successful in the NFL. However, the results haven't matched that and Richardson lost his starting job to Daniel Jones last offseason. The quarterback appears best suited for a fresh start in the hopes that a new set of eyes could be better for his development. It wouldn't be the first time that a young quarterback went on to have a better career for a different team. Richardson might not be the next Sam Darnold or Geno Smith , but someone might want to find out – especially if an untimely injury shakes up the depth chart before Week 1. Kamara seemingly lost his spot atop the Saints' running back depth chart this offseason, putting his future in question. It wouldn't be the first time for Kamara, but the possibility of his Saints career coming to an end has never been more realistic. The 30-year-old played in just 11 games last season and has missed at least one game every year since his rookie campaign in 2017. New Orleans inked a deal with Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency , which signaled a potential changing of the guard. Kamara dealt with rumors around the deadline in 2025, when he famously threatened to "go drink a piña colada somewhere" if the alternative was relocating to another NFL city. It remains to be seen if Kamara still feels that way, but the Saints may be ready to turn the page. Conner has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason and that likely won't slow down anytime soon. The Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and then invested the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Jeremiyah Love , leaving Conner as the odd man out. Injuries will inevitably shake up rosters across the league during training camp, something that will only drive Conner's value up. The veteran is coming off a foot injury that ended his 2025 season after just three games, but the 31-year-old is under contract next season at a reasonable $4.83 million cap hit. Considering how consistent he has been for an underwhelming Cardinals team through the years, Conner is the type of player that teams in need of a running back will covet. Aiyuk [... truncated ...]
On Monday, Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones participated in 7-on-7 drills for the first time in the second week of OTAs—almost six months after tearing his Achilles (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder): It marks another step forward in Jones’s ongoing recovery and rehabilitation from the devastating season-ending Achilles injury he suffered during Week 14 of last year in Jacksonville —in the midst of a breakout season in Indianapolis during his debut Colts campaign. Last week, while Jones was throwing in the first week of OTAs—which was encouraging in itself, he was limited to individual on-the-field drills, but was seen running full sprints with Colts trainers after practice. This week; however, he’s ramping it up even further, with the current expectation that he’ll be ready to participate in 11-on-11 drills by the start of training camp (via The Athletic’s James Boyd): While Steichen reiterated that both Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard are competing for the primary backup quarterback job behind Jones by ‘splitting reps,’ it was Richardson Sr. who got the initial look with the first-team offense again in 11-on-11 drills , despite still being readily available for a potential trade. Per Steichen, the plan remains to rotate the two backup quarterbacks regarding first-team reps depending on the practice days. At any rate, it has to be encouraging for the Colts that Jones only continues to progress in his Achilles recovery, and it looks like that initial hopeful expectation by Jones and his camp that he’d be ready by the start of team training camp will actually come to fruition in mid-July—at least on his current track, barring no unforeseen setbacks
The Colts added another quarterback to the roster on Monday. They announced the signing of Easton Stick and he will join Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, and Riley Leonard on the depth chart in Indianapolis. Stick spent last season with the Falcons and did not play in any regular season games. He started four games for the Chargers in 2023 and spent five years as a backup in Los Angeles overall. Stick will take the place of Seth Henigan, who was waived in a corresponding move. The Colts also signed center Josh Kreutz and cornerback Jai’Onte’ McMillan. Both players went undrafted earlier this year. Cornerback Wyett Ekeler and guard LaDarius Henderson were waived to round out all of the day’s moves
The Colts added another quarterback to the roster on Monday. They announced the signing of Easton Stick and he will join Daniel Jones , Anthony Richardson, and Riley Leonard on the depth chart in Indianapolis . Stick spent last season with the Falcons and did not play in any regular season games. He started four games for the Chargers in 2023 and spent five years as a backup in Los Angeles overall. Stick will take the place of Seth Henigan , who was waived in a corresponding move. The Colts also signed center Josh Kreutz and cornerback Jai'Onte' McMillan. Both players went undrafted earlier this year. Cornerback Wyett Ekeler and guard LaDarius Henderson were waived to round out all of the day's moves
As the 2026 NFL season approaches its 100-day countdown, CBS Sports has identified the 100 most important players. The list acknowledges past misses and the subjective nature of 'importance,' highlighting players like Christian McCaffrey for their impact, while also noting potential struggles of others like J.J. McCarthy
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.
