The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2024 NFL season needing quarterback Anthony Richardson to take a big step forward in his development after an injury-riddled rookie season. Instead, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft got even worse and raised significant concerns regarding his future as a starting quarterback.
While the 6-foot-4 quarterback started double-digit games in 2024, he also struggled to stay healthy and required an in-season benching. He also finished the regular season 27th in ESPN QBR (47.4) and had the lowest completion rate (47.7 percent) in the NFL by a wide margin.
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- Anthony Richardson stats (career): 67.8 QB rating, 11-13 TD-INT, 2,391 passing yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 50.6% completion rate, 635 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns in 15 games
Not only has Richardson been one of the least accurate passers in NFL history as a starter through his first 15 games, but he also hasn’t brought the value as a rusher that the franchise hoped for. While the Colts front office and coaching staff publicly committed to him as the starter in 2025, he could face significant competition from a top option in NFL free agency.
Colts’ reporter Stephen Holder of ESPN.com shared that Indianapolis could be interested in pursuing quarterback Justin Fields in free agency this offseason.
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Notably, Colts general manager Chris Ballard had a “fondness for Fields” ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft and the team scouted him heavily throughout his Ohio State Buckeyes career. The Colts coaching staff also got a first-hand look at what Fields can do in 2024, when he threw for a season-high 312 yards with an added 55 rushing yards and 3 total touchdowns.
- Justin Fields stats 2024 (ESPN): 93.3 QB rating, 5-1 TD-INT, 1,106 passing yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 65.8% completion rate, 289 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns in 10 games
While the medical staff reportedly doesn’t have long-term concerns with Richardson’s back injury, the team does want to pursue a more viable option to challenge him for the starting job in training camp.
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Fields would be a particularly intriguing fit because of his dual-threat ability, which would allow Colts head coach Shane Steichen to maintain continuity with the play-calling and offensive system if a quarterback change is made. It’s worth noting, however, that the Pittsburgh Steelers are also expected to try and re-sign Fields this offseason.