Indianapolis, IN
If Anthony Richardson Can’t Beat Out 44-Year-Old Philip Rivers, That’s A Big Problem
Indianapolis’s playoff chances collide with player development as Rivers challenges a cleared Richardson for QB1.
After Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, the Indianapolis Colts turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Rivers, who hadn’t taken an NFL snap since January 2021, immediately stepped into the team’s starting lineup and nearly led the team to a shocking upset over the Seattle Seahawks.
But there’s a new wrinkle. Anthony Richardson, the quarterback the Colts selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was cleared to return to football activities. Richardson suffered a freak pregame orbital fracture on Oct. 12.
Now the question for the Colts is simple: Who starts at quarterback when Richardson is healthy enough to play? The decision would be easy if the Colts were out of playoff contention. They would start the young quarterback and hope he shows some of the flashes he displayed during his very short rookie season.
But the Colts are still very much in the AFC postseason picture, currently sitting at 8-6. They are one game behind the Houston Texans for the seventh and final playoff spot with a game against Houston scheduled for Week 18.
They are also two games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South lead, and the two teams meet in Week 17. The Colts don’t control their own postseason destiny; even if Indianapolis wins out, the Texans would get in over the Colts if Houston wins its other two remaining games.
Still, the first step is to win the final three games. That starts with a Monday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. Rivers is going to start that game, according to head coach Shane Steichen.
This isn’t surprising news, since Richardson hasn’t practiced yet. But there’s going to be a decision between the two starters soon. Who gives them the best chance to win once both QBs are healthy?
Richardson vs. Rivers for Colts QB1
If the answer is Rivers, that’s a death knell for the career of Richardson. Losing the starting job to Daniel Jones was one thing, but failing to start over a 44-year-old QB who spent nearly five years out of the NFL is another matter entirely.
With Anthony Richardson cleared for football activities, the Indianapolis Colts are likely to have to make a decision between the young quarterback and the recently-signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers.
(Imagn Images)
Despite going 6-5 as a starter last season, Richardson completed less than 50% of his passes and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Of course, Richardson does a lot of his damage on the ground, rushing for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns in his 11 starts in 2024.
Rivers didn’t light up the Seahawks’ defense on Sunday, but he was efficient. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The interception came on a desperation heave on the team’s final possession with the game virtually out of reach. Rivers got the ball out quickly, taking only one sack against a very good Seattle defense.
Head coach Shane Steichen was hired prior to the team drafting Richardson, so he has some motivation to ensure Richardson succeeds in the NFL. But he’s not going to put that above the team’s short-term future, which includes an opportunity to reach the playoffs.
Ultimately, Steichen is going to start the quarterback he believes gives him the best chance to win the next three games. If that quarterback is Philip Rivers, it means Anthony Richardson’s NFL future is very, very bleak.
Indianapolis, IN
Chase Sexton out for at least another round, Indianapolis Supercross, with practice injuries
Chase Sexton will miss at least one more round of the SuperMotocross World Championship to heal from injuries suffered in practice prior to the Daytona Supercross, the Kawasaki Racing team announced on social media. He will miss Round 9 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sexton got off to a disappointing start with his new team, finishing eighth in the season-opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. He rallied to finish fourth the following week in San Diego after coming out of the gates slowly, and then won his first race with the team in the second Anaheim event.
With a forthcoming off-week following the Indianapolis Supercross, Drew Adams could return in time for the East / West Showdown in Birmingham.
Since then, his best finish has been fifth, which he scored in the Houston Triple Crown event and in Seattle.
After missing Daytona, Sexton is fifth in the championship standings, tied with Justin Cooper at 49 points behind the leader, Hunter Lawrence.
An off-week follows the Indianapolis Supercross, giving Sexton additional time to heal.
Dylan Ferrandis hurt his thumb in a Daytona heat race, but an MRI reveals there are no broken bones.
Indianapolis, IN
Find your furry friend at Lucky Tails Adoption Event in Indianapolis, all fees waived
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Feeling lonely and in need of a friend?
Check out Lucky Tails Adoption Event on Saturday, March 14, hosted by Indianapolis Animal Care Services. All fees will be waived and every pet available has been microchipped, spayed or neutered, and is up to date on vaccinations.
To make the transition even easier for you and your new companion, each new parent will receive a goody bag of necessities. There will be adoption counselors at the event to help you with any questions and to help you find a pet that best fits your lifestyle.
Last month, 59 animals found new homes during IACS’ Valentine’s Day Adoption event. The shelter hopes more animals can strike gold and find their forever home at this month’s event. “Our goal is to make as many matches as possible between our animals and the people who are meant to love them,” said IACS Director, Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle.
The vent will be held at the shelter located at 2600 South Harding Street. IACS also has four upcoming weekend “Pop-Up” adoption events around the city:
- March 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 9749 East Washington Street.
- March 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 7801 US 31 South.
- April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. at Puppy Playground, 7224 Rockville Road.
- April 18 from noon to 3 p.m. at City Dogs Grocery, 1028 Virginia Avenue.
View adoptable pets here.
The Indianapolis Colts under general manager Chris Ballard have generally been extremely cautious in free agency. They rarely bring in outside playmakers, a strategy that hasn’t paid off over the past decade.
Still, since 2017, Indianapolis has made several impactful outside additions. Some have paid off handsomely, and others have fallen flat. Let’s take a look at Indy’s best and worst signings over the past decade.
Best Signings
DE Justin Houston
Houston signed with the Colts as a free agent in March 2019 on a two-year, $24 million contract after eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he established himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
Houston is the last Colts pass rusher to record double-digit sacks, doing so in 2019 (11 sacks).
QB Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones played better football than any Colts quarterback since Philip Rivers in 2020. He certainly was worth his $17 million price tag, and it’s fair to say he was one of the best Colts free agent signings of the Chris Ballard era.
Jones was transition tagged by the Colts earlier this week, becoming the second quarterback in NFL history to be placed under the transition tag.
QB Philip Rivers
Speaking of Rivers, he deserves a spot on this list. In his 2020 campaign, Rivers threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He led the Colts to their last playoff appearance and nearly upset the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
TE Eric Ebron
Miami Dolphins At Indianapolis Colts In Nfl Week 10 At Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis Sunday Nov 10 2019 | Jenna Watson/IndyStar, Indianapolis Star via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Ebron struggled with drops throughout his career, but his one season paired with Andrew Luck was special. In 2018, Ebron hauled in 66 receptions for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns. Each of those numbers was a career high.
In 2019, Ebron’s production fell off a cliff. He only caught 31 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns from Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer. Still, Ebron deserves recognition for his one decent year in Indy.
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Worst Signings
CB Xavien Howard
Howard was brought in weeks before the 2025 season, and after a month in Indy, he abruptly retired. The former All-Pro corner struggled mightily during his brief Colts tenure. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a 139.2 passer rating and 16 receptions while earning a 36.1 overall grade.
Once Puka Nacua went for 13 receptions and 170 yards while matched up against Howard, the 10-year veteran knew it was time to hang up the cleats for good.
K Matt Gay
Ballard rarely gives out money, but in 2023, he thought it would be wise to sign Matt Gay to the largest free-agent kicker contract of all time (four years, $22.5 million). Gay stayed for two seasons before the team cut him last spring.
During his time in Indianapolis, Gay converted 82.1% of his field goal attempts (64 of 78). When kicking from 50 yards and beyond, Gay had a 50% success rate (11 of 22).
DT Raekwon Davis
The Colts signed Davis as a cheap depth piece at defensive tackle, but he never truly became anything special. He appeared in 17 games in 2024, recording 15 total tackles.
The Colts gave Davis a two-year, $14 million deal only to cut him before his second season in Indy.
WR Devin Funchess
Ballard signed Funchess to a one-year deal worth up to $13 million back in 2019, months before Luck retired. Funchess missed most of the season with a broken collarbone that he suffered in Week 1 after hauling in three receptions for 32 yards.
Funchess’s lack of success in Indy wasn’t his fault, but it was another signing down the drain for Ballard’s front office.
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