The Colts have officially designated Daniel Jones as their primary quarterback, favoring him over Anthony Richardson for the upcoming season, as confirmed by coach Shane Steichen during a press briefing. Steichen emphasized that this decision is made for the entire season, not just for the initial game against the Dolphins.

“I don’t want to have a short leash on that,” Steichen stated.

Translation: I prefer a long term approach with Jones.

Jones, who joined the team through free agency, competed directly with Richardson for the role. Steichen noted that Jones’ performance in training camp and the pre-season has been impressive enough to secure the starting position, while Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will now take a step back.

Steichen remarked on the importance of consistency, stating, “You guys heard me talk about the consistency, and that’s really what I was looking for…”

With this shift in the quarterback position, there are notable implications for fantasy football participants. Although Richardson offered a high ceiling, Jones’ presence could potentially enhance the value of other team assets.

In particular, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Tyler Warren could see an increase in their fantasy value due to this change. Notably, Taylor had seen a decline in passing game involvement with Richardson but can expect more targets from Jones.

Overall, while Richardson’s dynamic playing style holds appeal, the Colts are placing their trust in Jones this year, aiming to optimize the offense around their playmakers.