Colts Bench Daniel Jones for Anthony Richardson; QB Future Uncertain

Colts bench Daniel Jones for Anthony Richardson against Jacksonville

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen benched starting quarterback Daniel Jones in the fourth quarter during a 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 1, 2026, handing Anthony Richardson Sr. his 2026 season debut.

Struggles in the Pocket Prompt a Fourth-Quarter Switch

Jones had started every game for Indianapolis this season following a strong 2025 campaign that had secured him a two-year, $88 million contract extension. On Sunday against the Jaguars, however, the offense stalled completely under his direction. Jones completed 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards, throwing one touchdown pass to Josh Downs alongside two interceptions, including a costly pick-six. He was also sacked three times and managed just seven rushing yards on four attempts, with the final carry serving as a first-half kneel down.

BREAKING: The #Colts have benched QB Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson is coming in. pic.twitter.com/mXRAPi66z3
— https://x.com/Colts_Coverage/status/2116993989958328413

According to sports.yahoo.com, those persistent issues—specifically an inability to read coverages cleanly, hesitation in the pocket, and missed throws to open targets—compounded into a performance that forced Steichen’s hand. Unlike previous weeks when the head coach immediately reaffirmed Jones as his starter at the postgame podium, Sunday brought a different tone. Everything is up for evaluation, Steichen told reporters when asked about the quarterback position moving forward, as noted by heavy.com.

Richardson Returns From Injury Break

For Anthony Richardson Sr., the fourth-quarter appearance was his first meaningful action since October 5, 2025. His absence stretched across more than a year due to a severe eye injury sustained the week following that 2025 outing, when a resistance-band accident led to surgery for a fractured orbital bone.

Thrust into mop-up duty trailing heavily in Jacksonville, Richardson completed two of two pass attempts for eight yards and absorbed one sack. He also contributed two rushing runs totaling four yards, which included a five-yard gain on his first carry and a final kneel down to run out the clock. noted that second-year quarterback Riley Leonard also remains on the roster as an additional internal option for the coaching staff.

Evaluating the Starting Quarterback for Week 9

With the Colts sitting at a difficult juncture in their schedule, the immediate future of the offense remains unsettled. Indianapolis travels to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, and Steichen has declined to name who will take the first snap under center. With Richardson playing on an expiring contract that leaves him a free agent after the season, the front office faces complex roster evaluations regarding its long-term offensive direction.