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Indianapolis Colts QB Riley Leonard spoke to the media as the offseason program began about his offseason and filling in for Daniel Jones. (Video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)
Expectations are typically low for a rookie quarterback picked in the sixth round of the draft.
They aren't special-teamers like many of their peers, and the plan really is for them to stand on the sideline with a clipboard and learn from the guy or two ahead of them on the depth chart.
That was the reality early in 2025 for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard, but things progressed quickly when the season arrived.
During warm-ups of the Colts' Week 6 game, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. suffered a freak eye injury, thrusting Leonard into the direct backup role behind Daniel Jones.
Jones and the Colts' offense were on a heater at the time, but several weeks later in Week 14, Jones fell to the grass in the rain at EverBank Stadium with an Achilles injury, ending his season with four games remaining.
Leonard jogged onto the soggy field for the remainder of the game and played reasonably well, but it was revealed afterward that he also had tweaked his knee.
READ MORE: Colts: Ranking Their Offseason Departures By Impact
Not knowing whether Leonard would be able to start the next week, the Colts turned to 43-year-old Philip Rivers, who started the next three games, all losses. With the Colts out of the playoff hunt, Leonard started the final game of the season and had one of the best performances that the Houston Texans defense allowed all year.
“What Riley was able to do when he stepped in last year was impressive," Colts head coach Shane Steichen said this offseason. "So, we want to see continued growth with the understanding of the offense, the playmaking ability, getting completions, taking what's there, not making bad plays worse, and we'll go from there.”
Expectations for Leonard are different this year.
Jun 10, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) participate in a drill during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
With Jones still recovering from his Achilles injury, Leonard got extra reps as the top quarterback, but ultimately had to split some during May and June with Richardson, who is on the trade block.
With the potential for Richardson to still be shipped out, Bleacher Report's Alex Kay predicts that Leonard will be the "firm QB2 behind Jones."
"In the wake of Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles tear, Anthony Richardson's injuries and performance woes, and Philip Rivers' inability to spur the squad to victory, the Colts gave Leonard a surprise starting nod for the 2025 finale," Kay wrote.
READ MORE: Colts Urged to Trade for Another Cincinnati Bearcat
"Leonard showed promise in that contest, completing 21 of his 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground," Kay continued. "That performance should help him cinch up the QB2 job this season, especially with journeyman backup Easton Stick being the Colts' lone offseason quarterback addition.
"Given the strong potential that Richardson gets traded before the campaign kicks off, Leonard is the top candidate to back Jones up."
Leonard's ability to keep the Colts' offense productive against Jacksonville and Houston while also making big plays didn't go unnoticed, but his behind-the-scenes efforts are what really endear him to Steichen.
"He’s a guy that’s studying like crazy in that classroom and taking it to the field," Steichen said. "Just the conversations that we have, things popped up today where he made some good plays – some conversations that took place and obviously came to life here on the practice field."
The Colts report to Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind., on July 28 and will begin practice the next day. At that point, Leonard vs. Richardson will resume.
Continue reading...
Expectations are typically low for a rookie quarterback picked in the sixth round of the draft.
They aren't special-teamers like many of their peers, and the plan really is for them to stand on the sideline with a clipboard and learn from the guy or two ahead of them on the depth chart.
That was the reality early in 2025 for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard, but things progressed quickly when the season arrived.
During warm-ups of the Colts' Week 6 game, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. suffered a freak eye injury, thrusting Leonard into the direct backup role behind Daniel Jones.
Jones and the Colts' offense were on a heater at the time, but several weeks later in Week 14, Jones fell to the grass in the rain at EverBank Stadium with an Achilles injury, ending his season with four games remaining.
Leonard jogged onto the soggy field for the remainder of the game and played reasonably well, but it was revealed afterward that he also had tweaked his knee.
READ MORE: Colts: Ranking Their Offseason Departures By Impact
Not knowing whether Leonard would be able to start the next week, the Colts turned to 43-year-old Philip Rivers, who started the next three games, all losses. With the Colts out of the playoff hunt, Leonard started the final game of the season and had one of the best performances that the Houston Texans defense allowed all year.
“What Riley was able to do when he stepped in last year was impressive," Colts head coach Shane Steichen said this offseason. "So, we want to see continued growth with the understanding of the offense, the playmaking ability, getting completions, taking what's there, not making bad plays worse, and we'll go from there.”
Expectations for Leonard are different this year.
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Jun 10, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) participate in a drill during minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
With Jones still recovering from his Achilles injury, Leonard got extra reps as the top quarterback, but ultimately had to split some during May and June with Richardson, who is on the trade block.
With the potential for Richardson to still be shipped out, Bleacher Report's Alex Kay predicts that Leonard will be the "firm QB2 behind Jones."
"In the wake of Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles tear, Anthony Richardson's injuries and performance woes, and Philip Rivers' inability to spur the squad to victory, the Colts gave Leonard a surprise starting nod for the 2025 finale," Kay wrote.
READ MORE: Colts Urged to Trade for Another Cincinnati Bearcat
"Leonard showed promise in that contest, completing 21 of his 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground," Kay continued. "That performance should help him cinch up the QB2 job this season, especially with journeyman backup Easton Stick being the Colts' lone offseason quarterback addition.
"Given the strong potential that Richardson gets traded before the campaign kicks off, Leonard is the top candidate to back Jones up."
Leonard's ability to keep the Colts' offense productive against Jacksonville and Houston while also making big plays didn't go unnoticed, but his behind-the-scenes efforts are what really endear him to Steichen.
"He’s a guy that’s studying like crazy in that classroom and taking it to the field," Steichen said. "Just the conversations that we have, things popped up today where he made some good plays – some conversations that took place and obviously came to life here on the practice field."
The Colts report to Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind., on July 28 and will begin practice the next day. At that point, Leonard vs. Richardson will resume.
Continue reading...
