Colts’ Shane Steichen reveals preseason opener plan at QB

WESTFIELD, INDIANA - JULY 29: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts fixes the shoulder pad of Riley Leonard #15 during the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park on July 29, 2025 in Westfield, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to head coach Shane Steichen, the Indianapolis Colts will rotate their two primary backup quarterbacks, Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard, during the team’s upcoming Thursday night preseason opener on the road against the New England Patriots (via The Athletic’s James Boyd):

#Colts HC Shane Steichen said the plan is for QBs Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. to play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the #Patriots . Daniel Jones will only participate in Tuesday’s joint practice. (I’d be shocked if DJ plays in the preseason.)

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 9, 2026

Rather unsurprisingly, Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who’s seemingly shown no signs of his torn Achilles suffered last year so far during team training camp, will not play in the team’s Preseason Week 1 game— especially on newly installed turf that the Patriots field crew is rushing to get down in Gillette Stadium by Thursday night.

Both Richardson and Leonard have shown inconsistency so far throughout training camp, with neither quarterback arguably clearly separating from the other competitor for the Colts’ QB2 job behind Jones.

That means it could come down to their respective preseason performances, as well as their work behind-the-scenes, which is the key reason why Jones bested out Richardson for the Colts’ QB1 job last year after rather even on-the-field performances throughout last year’s training camp and preseason games.

If Richardson doesn’t clearly separate himself through all three facets: training camp, preseason, and off-the-field work, then the default to me, would be Leonard ultimately winning the QB2 job for the Colts going forward.

Richardson is a free agent at year-end, and clearly has no intentions of re-signing—having already requested a trade from Indianapolis by his representation earlier this offseason. Meanwhile, Leonard is under team control by the Colts on his rookie contract through the 2028 season. It’s nothing personal from that standpoint, it’s just good business that whatever practice reps are left over from Jones should go to Leonard throughout the season.

The backup quarterback that will actually remain in Indianapolis beyond the 2026 campaign—if it’s even that long for Richardson.

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