Anthony Richardson’s path to Colts’ No. 2 QB job is still unsettled despite offseason noise

Indianapolis’ quarterback room remains a live competition, and the loudest storyline is not necessarily the most accurate one. A wave of online buzz has circulated the idea that Anthony Richardson has already been pushed behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard, landing at No. 3 on the Colts’ depth chart. But the latest reporting framing this conversation suggests that the “already decided” narrative may be premature, even if it is now clear Richardson is competing for the backup role rather than being treated as a lock.

The key point in the current conversation is the distinction between certainty and positioning. The report emphasizes that while Richardson’s “backup job” outlook has come under scrutiny, he is still competing, at minimum, with Leonard for the quarterback spot directly behind Jones. That matters because the QB2 position is often the most closely watched backup job during the season, when the starter’s availability and weekly game planning can quickly elevate the second quarterback into meaningful reps.

Jones’ presence at the top of the chart sets a known baseline for the Colts, and it also defines what Richardson’s role would be if Indianapolis ends up keeping him at No. 2. Meanwhile, Leonard is the other player explicitly connected to the QB2 picture in the reporting, which means Richardson’s training-camp evaluation is likely being measured against a tangible alternative, not only against expectations.

Importantly, the reporting also pushes back on the idea that social-media takes are the same as roster reality. Online speculation tends to compress timelines, treating small indicates from camp or preseason preparation as final decisions. Here, the more cautious assessment is that the competition can still move, and that the public narrative of Richardson being fully displaced does not yet have to be treated as settled personnel information.

From a team-building standpoint, Indianapolis’ quarterback decisions in this window are about more than depth. The Colts have to balance development, practice-week efficiency, and readiness for the one scenario no team can ignore: a starter missing time. A QB2 job is frequently where a franchise learns which quarterback can translate preparation into in-game decision-making, particularly under pressure and at tempo.

The most relevant thing to watch next is how the Colts’ pecking order looks as camp work turns into clearer separation. If Richardson truly slides to No. 3, it would narrow his pathway to impactful snaps. If, instead, he holds the QB2 spot through the next phases of preparation, it would preserve his status as one of the primary alternatives behind Jones. Either way, the immediate take is that the backup role is not just a formality, and the contest described in the latest reporting is still moving.