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Daniel Jones has been handed a huge opportunity to salvage his NFL career after the Indianapolis Colts named his as their starting quarterback for the new season.
The news is a crushing blow for Anthony Richardson, the team's struggling starter for the last two campaigns. He had been battling it out with Jones during preseason to keep that position.
Jones, 28, was cut by the New York Giants last year after a frankly astonishing downturn in form, two seasons after leading the team to the playoffs. He was demoted to fourth-choice quarterback and eventually asked to be released from his four-year, $160million contract to pursue a fresh start.
After ending last season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings, Jones signed a one-year deal with the Colts worth $14million - likely, in part, because he fancied his chances of dislodging Richardson as the first choice starter under Shane Steichen.
And Steichen has put his backing firmly behind Jones, saying on Tuesday: 'He's the starting QB for the season. I don't want to have a short lease on that. I thought the competition in camp was great between those guys. They both competed really hard.'
The Giants took Jones with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft while the Colts took Richardson with the fourth pick in 2023, after just 13 starts at Florida.
Daniel Jones has a huge chance to rebuild his NFL career as Indianapolis Colts starter
But for Anthony Richardson, there are major questions now over his future with the team
Late owner Jim Irsay gave Richardson a glowing endorsement but the signal caller has struggled to adjust to the NFL and make that position his own.
In his rookie season, shoulder surgery ended Richardson's first season after only four starts. And last year, he was benched for Joe Flacco after he asked to be taken out of a game against the Houston Texans because of tiredness.
Richardson's future with the franchise will now inevitably fall under intensifying scrutiny but despite Tuesday's vote of confidence for Jones, big question marks still remain over the ex-Giants man.
The Colts start the season at home against Miami Dolphins on September 7 before hosting Denver Broncos in Week 2.
Steichen insisted it was not the end of the road for Richardson and believes the quarterback, 23, will use his position as No 2 to work on weaknesses.
'I think Daniel did a great job and AR has made strides... but I doo feel he still needs to continue to develop,' Steichen said. 'I spoke to both of them this morning. AR was great.
'He knows he still needs to develop and learn. He knows he is one play away. I let them team know this morning. The team is supportive of Daniel but also supportive of AR and his new role. He has got to attack it the right way.'
Until Tuesday's announcement, head coach Steichen had largely kept his cards close to his chest but said small details would influnce his quarterback decision.
'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,' he told reporters after the Colts lost 23-19 to the Green Bay Packers at the weekend.
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