Colts GM Chris Ballard, during his season-ending press conference, revealed the free-agent QB’s Colts is considering in 2025 to compete with Anthony Richardson as he prepares for his 3rd season.

Colts GM Chris Ballard, during his season-ending press conference, revealed the free-agent QB’s Colts is considering in 2025 to compete with Anthony Richardson as he prepares for his 3rd season.

During his season-ending press conference, Chris Ballard, general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, stated that the team might consider adding a quarterback in the offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson as he enters his third season.

Given that Richardson has struggled to maintain his health throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, the Colts must make this move.

The Colts offense has suffered as a result of his uneven play, even when he has been on the field. Although his deep throw and running skills are undeniable, his inability to make mid-range throws stopped multiple Colts drives in 2024.

Which free agent quarterbacks might the Colts consider in 2025? Take a look below!

1. Darnold, Sam

17 games, 361-of-545 throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions were the 2024–25 stats.

25-of-40 throwing for 245 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in one game during the playoffs

2. Jones, Daniel

3. Wilson, Russell

11 games, 214-of-336 throwing for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions were the 2024–25 stats.

20-of-29 throwing for 270 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in one game during the playoffs

4. Fields, Justin

2024–25 stats: 106–of-161 throwing for 1,106 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception in 10 games (6 starts).

5. Winston Jamies

2024–25 stats: 181-296 throwing for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 12 games (7 starts).

6. Dalton, Andy

2024–25 stats: 106–of-160 throwing for 989 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions in 6 games (5 starts).

7. Jones, Mac

 

2024–25 stats: 171–262 passing for 1,672 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 10 games (7 starts).

8. Cooper Rush

2024–25 stats: 187-of-308 throwing for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 12 games (8 starts).

9. Marcus Mariota

2024–25 Stats: Completed 34 of 44 pass attempts for 364 yards, with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions across 3 games (no starts).

 

In the offseason, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will collaborate with a biometrics specialist.

During his sophomore campaign, Anthony Richardson experienced more setbacks than positive developments. Richardson’s second season as an NFL starting quarterback demonstrated that he still has a ways to go in a number of areas after a season tainted by off-field antics that eventually became an on-field issue.

After returning from a season-ending injury that ended his rookie season, Anthony Richardson did not envision or want his second season in the NFL to be one of accepting doubts and worries in every aspect of being a franchise quarterback. Nevertheless, he wants to make amends throughout the offseason, which will be his first complete offseason injury-free.

At this stage of his career, Richardson’s durability concerns are unquestionably legitimate. After missing most of his rookie season, he played six more games in his second season, missing two games because of a demotion and four games because of injury.

With a visit to the Chris Hess self-discovery center of quarterbacking during his first full offseason since joining the NFL, Richardson is well-positioned to improve as a quarterback despite injury worries.

Chris Hess is who?

Hess, the creator of Biometerk, examines athletes’ motions using biomechanics to “fix” the kind of erroneous steps that prevent them from realizing their full potential.

When training back in Florida this offseason, Anthony Richardson and Hess will work together to simplify the “easy” short throws and try to add more touch to his throws, according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. As Richardson’s mechanics are redesigned, his technique will take center stage in this transformation.

The story of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s ascent to superstardom after he was shown to be a raw product two years into his NFL career is currently Hess’s most valued property.

Allen has a career completion percentage of 55.8% going into his third season in the NFL. In 2020, following just one offseason with Chris Hess, Allen recorded a 69% completion percentage.

Josh Allen developed into his next form in 2020 after practicing with Chris Hess. Allen’s completion percentage increased by 17% from his rookie season, setting a two-year NFL record.

In this NFL Films clip, Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman talks about how Allen’s progress, particularly in such a short period of time, is something he once thought was unachievable. “Accuracy is something that you truly can’t coach, in my opinion. “Guys have the option of placing the ball where they want or not,” Aikman stated. “Josh Allen disproved my assertion.”

Josh Allen responded that repetition is essential when asked how this sudden shift to mechanics can be ingrained as standard information going forward.

“Many repetitions. Allen stated, “You need to have specific reminders because there are still instances when you’re in the pocket, it feels like you let one go over the top, and you’re back too far on your left leg.” “Alright, I’m not going to move my left foot here,” I think just before I head out to the field to throw the ball. I’ll just remain here and toss a couple to my equipment manager. You’re locked in once you acquire that feeling. Proceed to play the game now.

Chris Hess is “the most influential person in my mechanical career,” according to Josh Allen. This not only demonstrates that Hess had a key role in helping Allen advance, but it also demonstrates that a significant shift in both production and muscle memory is feasible in order to turn the ship around.

Did Josh Allen need a greater leap than Anthony Richardson?
The fact that Richardson is worried about his accuracy, health, and leadership maturity after just two seasons as an NFL player is definitely not encouraging.

Having said that, Richardson has responded to every setback with a determined attempt to make amends. While some contend that Richardson’s need to go through the lows in order to comprehend them is a sign of his leadership potential, others counter that his youth and general lack of quarterbacking experience are to blame. It should not excuse Richardson’s current flaws but rather provide an explanation for why his development has been so uneven to start his NFL career.

However, we’ll quickly examine the statistical similarities between Richardson and Allen’s first two seasons to estimate the magnitude of the leap Chris Hess will need to help with.

To avoid suggesting a direct comparison between Richardson and Allen as players at this stage, I’ve included a breakdown of their first 15 NFL starts below. This provides context for what Chris Hess faced when he began working with Allen and what he anticipates with Richardson this offseason.

Josh Allen (first 15 starts):

• 235 completions on 423 attempts (55.5%)
• 2,824 passing yards
• 13 passing touchdowns
• 15 interceptions
• 33 sacks taken
• 115 rushes for 736 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns
• 12 fumbles

Anthony Richardson (first 15 starts):

• 176 completions on 348 attempts (50.6%)
• 2,391 passing yards
• 11 passing touchdowns
• 13 interceptions
• 21 sacks taken
• 111 rushes for 635 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns
• 12 fumbles

In each of their first two NFL seasons, Richardson experienced more injury setbacks than Allen, which is unquestionably concerning, as was already mentioned. But because of their similarities as big-bodied, downhill rushers from the quarterback position, I’ve also included their rushing splits.

Although Richardson’s prior success with Allen does not ensure the same outcome for him, fans will undoubtedly be excited by it, and with good cause. Hess will have his job cut out for him this offseason. Of course, it will take time to see whether Hess’ magic potion can be duplicated, but if Richardson exhibits even a small amount of the aforementioned growth, the trajectory will eventually be pointing upward in Indianapolis.