There is a new quarterback in town and things are going to look a little different for that Colts offense.
How the Indianapolis Colts' offense will look with Daniel Jones at quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition has come to an end. The battle between free-agent acquisition Daniel Jones and 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson is over and Daniel Jones has been named the starting quarterback. The former New York Giant and Minnesota Viking brings a lot of experience to the starting position and has playoff experience as well. With Jones at the helm, the Colts are a little more certain of what they are getting, rather than trying to figure it out with Anthony Richardson and allowing him to grow as the season progresses. The Colts took the safety of Jones over the potential that Anthony Richardson offered. But within the safety of Jones, there will be a few things that will happen.
One area that will not be as effective for the Colts is the passing game, especially the deep passing game. Daniel Jones has never been known to be a passer who attacks teams down the field. He is more of a quarterback who wants to protect the football and make the safe play. As a result of what Jones does, a few things will happen. Alex Pierce, who is one of the most underrated deep route runners in the NFL, will more than likely not see deep routes thrown his way. It isn’t because Daniel Jones does not want to throw it to him. It is because he values the safe throw it out there to Pierce when he is flying down the sidelines or the middle of the field. As a result of shorter routes, wide receiver Josh Downs will more than likely be used more because of his mastery of the short to intermediate routes and his speed. Getting the ball in his hands early to get started might be something that ignites Downs to the level many thought he could get to when he entered the draft a couple of years back.
Another potential side effect of Jones being the starting running back may be an even greater focus on the running game for the Colts. Running back Jonathan Taylor had one of the quietest 1400-plus yard seasons in NFL history in 2024. And with Daniel Jones there with the Colts, there will be even more focus on Taylor this year to loosen up a defense that will be tight to the line of scrimmage a little more given the short to intermediate routes Jones will throw. Over the years, though, the Colts' offensive line has been very good and if they live up to their reputation, things should be fine running the football. But with center Ryan Kelly and Will Fries leaving in free agency to join the Minnesota Vikings, there may be some questions still up front despite having All-Pro offensive lineman Quenton Nelson still in the fold.
Daniel Jones is getting a second chance to be a starter in the NFL and the Colts are hoping he can make them better. But having him as your starting quarterback does come with its challenges. What will be interesting is to see how the Colts attempt to overcome them or cover them up.
Category: Football
