Colts GM Will Not Guarantee Anthony Richardson as Starting Quarterback in 2025

The Indianapolis Colts were meant to make it to the playoffs and had a route to do so towards the end of the season. However, their postseason plans were crushed when the lowly New York Giants routed the team.

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Multiple players and pundits questioned what happened, and even Colts star defensive end DeForest Buckner called out the organization. Despite the many issues, Indianapolis retained general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.

Now, Ballard has addressed the media, and mostly taken the blame for how the 2024 season unfolded. One big revelation was that Ballard revealed Anthony Richardson is not guaranteed to land the starting quarterback position.

Ballard revealed to the media that Richardson will have a quarterback competition for Richardson in 2023, instead of just giving him the starting position. One of the biggest reasons for this is due to the young quarterback not being able to be healthy for a 17-game season.

Richardson played four games in his rookie season in 2023, and 11 games in 2024. Through two seasons, he has not even played a full season of games.

Read more: Colts' Anthony Richardson Explains Why He Took Himself Out of Game vs Texans

Another issue that occurred with Richardson was when he took himself out of a game willingly. This led to his being benched in favor of Joe Flacco, who also struggled.

Now, the Colts will take a different approach to the quarterback position in 2025, including offering a completion.

Ballard also indicated that the team made a "mistake" by not attempting to bring in outside free agents in free agency and stick with the team that they had in 2023. The Dallas Cowboys did something similar, leading to their poor record.

The Colts had the makings of a playoff team, but the execution was just not there. To lose to the Giants with the season on the line is a big problem.

Ballard also addressed the steep criticism from former Colts legend Pat McAfee. McAfee called out the organization, especially regarding how Richarson quit the team. The host went into the deeper issues the organization has, which Ballard also commented on.

Ballard stated he agrees with some of what McAfee said, stating, "You can't fool players."

The Colts have a lot to figure out, as they have spent the past two seasons knocking on the door of the playoffs, but losing that chance in the final couple of games of the season.

With Steichen and Ballard returning, the hope is they can work together to get this team back to the playoffs. That might happen with another quarterback at the helm, and that quarterback might not be Richardson or Flacco.

For more on the Colts, head to Newsweek Sports.