As the Indianapolis Colts prepare for the NFL Draft and decide which position to target, general manager Chris Ballard made a crucial statement regarding the quarterback position which features Anthony Richardson. After a disappointing season for the Colts, it seems as if Ballard wants to challenge Richardson as the starting job is not a lock.

Talking to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine, Ballard said that “it will be open competition” for the starting quarterback job as Richardson will battle whoever the team acquires this offseason according to Cameron Wolfe.

“Colts GM Chris Ballard said it will be open competition at starting QB spot for Anthony Richardson and another QB Indy will bring in this offseason,” Wolfe wrote on his X, formerly Twitter, account.

Last season, Richardson threw for 1,814 yards to go along with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions as he appeared in only 11 games. While saying the competition will be “open” at the starting quarterback position, Ballard ended up saying that it will be “good for the team” according to Albert Breer.

“I think that’s good for the team,” Ballard said. “And I think it’ll be good for Anthony…Us adding competition will help up everyone’s game.”

Colts could look to NFL Draft for quarterback?

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gives a thumbs up before the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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With the Colts looking to the NFL Draft, they have the 14th overall pick where while the team will look to free agency to add a quarterback, they could look to quarterback if the franchise thinks it's necessary. While it's likely Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders won't make it to the middle of the first round, they could look later into the draft with Jaxon Dart possibly being an option as The Indy Star asked Daniel Jeremiah about the team going for a signal-caller in the draft.

“I haven’t been able to find that buzz out there for someone who is a quarterback who teams would want to get at the bottom of (round) 1,” Jeremiah said. “Jaxson Dart is my third guy. That would be the one, I think, I would keep an eye on and see if the buzz builds with him.”

“I do see some similarities to Hurts,” Jeremiah continued. “Got kind of a similar build, similar frame. They're both really good athletes. They're both beloved by their teammates, say the right things, do all the right things, do all the stuff on and off the field. There's a lot of similarities there.”

ESPN's well-known NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. went on the defensive end for his mock selecting a safety from the University of Georgia Malaki Starks.

“This is a good fit, with an obvious need for a ball-hawking safety on the back end of the Colts' defense,” Kiper wrote. “Julian Blackmon is a free agent. And Starks — who picked off six passes across three seasons — can make an instant impact…But Starks probably makes more sense, especially because there are receiver options available in free agency.”

Indianapolis looks to improve after a 8-9 record last season.