The Indianapolis Colts may still view Anthony Richardson as their quarterback of the future, but adding viable competition will be a key focus this offseason.
Veteran Joe Flacco likely played his final game for the Colts during their 26-23 overtime win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. While Richardson remains the long-term plan, the team should explore options for a capable backup.
One intriguing possibility comes from within the AFC. Hayden Winks of Underdog Network predicted the Colts might target Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields in free agency, noting his first-round pedigree:
“The NFL essentially declared Fields isn’t a starting QB when he was traded for a conditional 6th-round pick. However, he’s still a fiery backup with short-yardage potential and could serve as a bridge QB for a team in need. Fields is always highly regarded by his coaches and teammates. His contract would likely be among the cheapest of the promising free-agent QB options,” Winks explained. “He’d make for a notable backup to Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis if they want to lean into that plan.”
Bringing in Fields would add pressure on Richardson to accelerate his development as he heads into his age-23 season.
Richardson struggled significantly at the start of the year, prompting head coach Shane Steichen to bench him for two games. Though he showed improvement upon being reinstated as the starter, he still has considerable room to grow.
Meanwhile, Fields demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities during his lone season in Pittsburgh. Filling in for Russell Wilson early in the year, Fields completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, earning a 110.6 passer rating over six starts. He also added 289 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 62 carries.
Fields would be an ideal candidate to either push Richardson to reach a consistent level or provide the Colts with a solid contingency plan without significantly altering the offensive scheme.
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