**Colts Name Daniel Jones as Starting Quarterback for Week 1**
The Indianapolis Colts have officially announced that Daniel Jones will be their starting quarterback for the upcoming season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed this decision during a press conference, stating, “He’s our starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a quick leash on that. I feel confident in his ability.”
Throughout training camp and the first two preseason games, Jones and rookie Anthony Richardson shared first-team reps, but Jones will now take the lead role exclusively. In his preseason appearances, Jones completed 17 of 32 passes for 245 yards, without throwing any touchdowns or interceptions. In contrast, Richardson, who left the first preseason game due to injury after just six snaps, managed to complete 2 of 3 passes for 21 yards. In the Colts’ second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Richardson completed 6 of 11 passes for 73 yards.
Jones, who signed a one-year contract with the Colts during the offseason, previously played for the New York Giants before being released midway through last season. He then joined the Minnesota Vikings but did not see any game action. Over his career, Jones has started 69 games, holding a record of 24-44-1. Last season, he completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards, with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, while the Giants struggled to a 2-8 record in his starts.
On the other hand, Richardson has faced challenges in his first two NFL seasons. In 15 career games, he has an 8-7 record, but his performance has been inconsistent, with just over 50% of his passes completed for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. However, he has shown promise as a runner, accumulating 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
The Colts finished last season with an 8-9 record, placing second in the AFC South. With Jones at the helm, Steichen hopes to lead the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
**FAQ**
*Who is the starting quarterback for the Colts in Week 1?*
Daniel Jones has been named the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts as they prepare to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.
