Honestly, if you took a nap in early 2025 and just woke up, the Indianapolis Colts depth chart would look like a fever dream. Imagine telling a fan two years ago that the franchise's future would hinge on a 44-year-old coming out of retirement and a rookie sixth-rounder from Notre Dame. Yet, here we are in January 2026, and the Indianapolis Colts starting QB situation is easily the most chaotic puzzle in the NFL.
The room is crowded, but it’s also remarkably empty. You have Daniel Jones on the mend, Anthony Richardson in a state of professional limbo, and Philip Rivers—yes, that Philip Rivers—having just finished a stint that felt more like a movie script than a football season. It’s a mess. But it’s a mess with a very specific direction if you look at what Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen are actually saying behind the podiums.
The Riley Leonard Factor: Not Just a Backup Anymore
Most people saw Riley Leonard as a "project" when he was taken in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. He was supposed to be the guy who holds the clipboard and maybe runs the scout team. Then the wheels fell off the season. When he got his first career start in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, he didn't just play; he looked like he belonged.
270 yards. Two touchdowns. A 66-yard bomb to Alec Pierce that reminded everyone why Steichen’s system is so dangerous when the vertical game works.
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He played with a kind of "destiny" control, as he put it. It wasn't perfect—the two fumbles and an interception showed the rookie stripes—but the poise was there. While the Colts lost that game, Leonard’s performance changed the math for 2026. He isn't just a body in the room; he’s a legitimate contender to push for the QB2 spot or even bridge the gap if the veterans aren't ready by training camp.
What Really Happened With Anthony Richardson?
This is the part that hurts for the fans who bought the jerseys. Anthony Richardson was supposed to be the "one." He has the size of a linebacker and the speed of a track star. But the 2025 season was a nightmare of freak accidents.
Before Week 6, Richardson suffered a fractured orbital bone in a pregame warmup incident. Let that sink in. It wasn't a sack or a big hit; it was a "freak accident" that led to vision limitations. He spent the end of the year back at practice in a red non-contact jersey, but he never saw the field again.
There's a lot of talk about his future. Some people think he’s headed for a trade to a team like the Dolphins or Rams where a fresh start might "save" him. Others, like GM Chris Ballard, are being more cautious, citing the need to see how his vision and health progress. The reality? He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Colts have until May 1st to decide on that fifth-year option. Right now, that feels like a very expensive gamble.
The Daniel Jones Era (For Now)
It’s weird to say, but Daniel Jones was actually playing some of the best football of his career before the Achilles tear in Week 14. He looked like a "franchise" guy in Steichen's offense. He was tough—playing through a fractured shin earlier in the year—and he earned the respect of a locker room that was desperate for stability.
The Colts want him back. Steichen and Carlie Irsay-Gordon have both hinted that Jones is "the guy" going forward once he’s healthy. But "healthy" is the keyword. An Achilles injury for a quarterback who relies on his mobility is a massive question mark. Even if he’s ready for training camp, can he still escape the pocket? If he can't, the Colts are back to square one.
The 2025 QB Carousel
- Daniel Jones: Started most of the year, provided stability, but ended on IR.
- Anthony Richardson: Lost the starting job in camp, then lost the season to an eye injury.
- Philip Rivers: The emergency 44-year-old savior who proved he still has the "old man" magic.
- Riley Leonard: The rookie who stepped in late and might have stolen the backup job for good.
The Malik Willis Rumors and the 2026 Offseason
Because the Colts finished the season on a seven-game skid—dropping from a potential #1 seed to out of the playoffs entirely—the seat is getting warm. You can’t go into 2026 with "hope" as your primary strategy.
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There’s already significant buzz about the Colts targeting a high-level insurance policy. Malik Willis is the name at the top of the list. He’s been stellar as a backup in Green Bay, and his athleticism fits the Steichen mold perfectly. If the Colts sign Willis to a deal (some project around $10 million), it almost certainly means the end of the Anthony Richardson era in Indianapolis. You don't pay that kind of money for a third-stringer.
Why This Matters for the Fans
The Colts are currently in their longest postseason drought since the early 90s. Shane Steichen knows that .500 isn't good enough. The Indianapolis Colts starting QB for 2026 won't just be about talent; it’ll be about availability.
The team has shown they can compete when the QB plays smart. Alec Pierce just had a 1,000-yard season. Jonathan Taylor is still a force. The pieces are there. But the quarterback room has been a revolving door of injuries and "what-ifs."
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're following the Colts' moves this spring, keep your eyes on these three specific milestones. They will tell you exactly what the front office thinks about the current roster.
1. The May 1st Deadline: If the Colts decline Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option, he is almost certainly being shopped for a trade. It’s the ultimate "we’re moving on" signal.
2. The Daniel Jones Contract Extension: Watch the structure of any new deal for Jones. If it's a short-term "prove it" extension, the Colts are still looking for their long-term answer in the draft.
3. Free Agency Day 1: If the Colts move quickly on a veteran like Malik Willis or another high-end backup, it confirms they don't trust the health of the current room.
The 2026 season is going to be a "get it right or get out" year for the leadership in Indy. They have the rookie in Leonard, the veteran in Jones, and the enigma in Richardson. Now they just need someone who can stay on the field long enough to win a division that is wider open than it’s been in years.