Colts ‘close’ to naming QB in Daniel Jones-Anthony Richardson battle

Former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will soon find out if he’s going to be a starter on his new team.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen insisted that he is “very close” to a decision on his starting quarterback come Week 1.

“I’ve seen, obviously, three weeks of it, so I’d like to have a decision here shortly,” Steichen told reporters Saturday after the Colts’ 23-19 preseason loss to the Packers in Indianapolis.

“I’m very close,” Steichen added. “I’ll say that. I’m very close.”

Steichen also said that no matter who he chooses, he is going to do what he believes is best for the Colts.

“I’ll feel pretty clean when I make that decision,” Steichen said. “And, again, when I make this decision, I’m going to do what I feel is best for this football team.”

Steichen’s comments come amid a months-long battle between Jones and Anthony Richardson, which has been described as an open competition since April.

Jones, 28, started the Colts’ second preseason game in a loss to the Packers and — after a slow start on his opening two drives — finished the day completing 7 of 11 passes for 101 yards.

“I think I just tried to show up every day and improve, grow in my understanding of the offense, and make good decisions consistently,” Jones told reporters. “I think that’s been something I’ve always tried to do and will continue to work on.”

Richardson, whom Indianapolis drafted with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, completed 6 of 11 passes during the loss to Green Bay.

Following Saturday’s game, however, the variables that Steichen listed could give Jones an edge.

“It’s everything,” Steichen said. “The operation, the communication in the huddle, the checks, getting guys on the same page. The consistency of all that, obviously, is going to play a big factor in this.”

Jones signed a one-year deal worth $14 million with Indianapolis back in March following his six-year tenure with the Giants.