Colts predicted to go full rebuild, replace Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones with 9-TD legacy QB

Currently, the Indianapolis Colts are watching Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones battle it out for the starting quarterback position. Even though both are former first-round picks, the competition has been less than inspiring.

Through training camp so far, Richardson and Jones are said to be "neck and neck," according to head coach Shane Steichen.

“Obviously we’re going to let this thing play out, but both have made plays the last couple of days, so really pleased with the progress of both,” Steichen told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

MORE: Dan Orlovsky says Colts QB Anthony Richardson must ‘be a tough guy’ to win starting job over Daniel Jones

But unless Richardson finally lives up to his No. 4 pick billing, or Jones turns his entire career around, the Colts could soon be shopping for a new man under center.

"If the 2025 season continues to provide mediocre production, it could lead the Indy brass to blow the entire operation up," CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan wrote. "Not only could that result in Richardson and Jones being shown the door, but head coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard as well."

However, Sullivan says it would be 2027 before the Colts would truly make their move for a quarterback, with the belief they'd be “one of the worst teams in the league.” That would give way to a full regime change and a fresh start — just like the one they had in 1998 with Peyton Manning. Only this time, it could be with his nephew, Arch Manning.

"Wouldn't it be poetic if his nephew landed with the Colts?" Sullivan asked. "At the moment, Indy is watching a rather uninspiring quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. While Richardson was once the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, he's yet to live up to that billing and it's hard to imagine a world where he rallies to become that franchise cornerstone for the Colts. No matter how this battle turns out, it doesn't feel like Indianapolis' quarterback of the future is currently on its roster."

Arch’s grandfather, Peyton’s father, Archie, recently stated that he believes his grandson will be back at Texas in 2026, likely nixing any NFL team’s plan to draft him next spring.

If that stays true, the Colts could be among a number of quarterback-needy franchises in 2027 hoping to land the next great Manning quarterback.