Indianapolis Colts have a quarterback quandary (again): Who will be QB1 to start 2026 season?

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The Indianapolis Colts enter the offseason with a familiar question: Who will be the starting quarterback next season?

The Colts believed they had found something with the resurgence of Daniel Jones, who they signed last offseason. However, an Achilles tear suffered in December leaves his availability for the start of the 2026 season uncertain.

They also have 2023 No. 4 overall draft pick Anthony Richardson and rookie Riley Leonard under contract. Philip Rivers, the feel-good story of the holiday season, has a day job as a high school football coach.

So where do the Colts turn for 2026? They don't possess a first-round draft pick after their mid-season trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Later quarterback draft picks rarely start right away.

Here are many possibilities. There's no guarantee any will take the field for the Colts in September 2026.

Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks in 2025

Daniel Jones

Contract status: Free agent
2025 salary cap hit: $14.5 million
2025 performance: Jones joined the Colts as a free agent on a 1-year deal, beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job and was one of the NFL's best stories in the first half of the season. He suffered a broken bone in his left leg that limited him, though he played through it until his right Achilles tendon ruptured against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 7. The Colts were 8-5 in games he started. Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, and he also rushed for 5 TDs.
Will he return in 2026?: Jones played well enough to warrant a new contract, but his injury status leaves the prospect iffy. Achilles injuries typically take close to a year to fully heal, so his availability for the start of the 2026 season is in doubt. Should the Colts retain him for when returns — and at what salary? — or seek another option?

Riley Leonard

Contract status: With the Colts through 2028
2026 salary cap hit: $1 million
2025 performance: The sixth-round rookie draft pick filled in when Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending injury. However, the Colts brought in 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement for three games before giving Leonard a chance as QB1 in the season finale. He completed 21-o-34 passes or 270 yards with 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and a 94.0 passer rating. He also rushed or 21 yards and a score.
Will he return in 2026?: He doesn't cost much and has some experience in the offense. His situation resembles that of Sam Ehlinger, who played three seasons after the Colts selected him in the sixth round in 2021.

Anthony Richardson

Contract status: With the Colts through 2027
2026 salary cap hit: $10.8 million
2025 performance: The 23-year-old appeared in two games before suffering an eye injury in a freak accident during pregame warmups in Week 6. Richardson had one completion in 2025 — to himself, for a 9-yard gain.
Will he return in 2026?: Do the Colts believe he has potential beyond what he has shown (17 games over three seasons, 50.6% completions, 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions; 10 rushing TDs)? Do they think he can remain healthy for an extended period? If so, he's still on his rookie contract and could be a decent value. If not, that money could go toward what they believe is a better option.

Philip Rivers

Contract status: Free agent
2025 performance: He passed for 544 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in three late-season losses. He also stayed upright through it all, no small feat in itself.
Will he return in 2026?: The 44-year-old is the St. Michael Catholic football coach in Alabama.

What quarterbacks will be free agents in 2026? Free agent quarterbacks after the 2025 NFL season

These quarterback with significant starting experience will be free agents after the 2025 season. Should the Colts give any a look?

Malik Willis: The 26-year-old fourth-year player got to show his worth late in the season in relief of injured Packers quarterback Jordan Love, playing efficiently — 18-of-21, 288 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 rushing TDs in a loss. However, he suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder.
Tyler Huntley: The 27-year-old stepped in for the injured Lamar Jackson late in the 2025 season, completing 83.3% of his passes in two December starts for 172 yards and 1 touchdown. XXXXXXXX
Marcus Mariota: The 32-year-old filled in as Commanders QB when Jayden Daniels was injured, and that was a lot. He suffered hand and quad injuries late in the season. He completed 61.2% of his passes for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Kenny Pickett: The 27-year-old started for parts of two seasons in Pittsburgh (2022-23), but he has played little the past two years (with Philadelphia in '24, Las Vegas in '25).
Tyrod Taylor: The 36-year-old journeyman (seven teams) played in 6 games for the New York Jets in 2025 before groin and knee injuries sidelined him.
Russell Wilson: The 37-year-old started the season as the New York Giants' QB, but he lasted just 3 games as the starter. He was the designated emergency QB most of the season.
Aaron Rodgers: The 42-year-old had a good 2025 season with Pittsburgh, at a salary cap hit of $14.5 million. The Steelers played the Ravens on Sunday night with the AFC North title on the line.
Joe Flacco: The 40-year-old filled in as Joe Burrow missed a lot of the 2025 season, completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,479 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Carson Wentz: The 33-year-old was the Colts QB in the 2021 season that cratered in the final two weeks. He played in five games for Minnesota in 2025 (65.1% completions, 1,216 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs) before a shoulder injury sidelined him.

Other quarterback possibilities

These veteran quarterbacks could be released by their current team and be available in the offseason.

Mac Jones: The 27-year-old played in eight games for San Francisco when Brock Purdy was injured, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 TDs and 6 INTs. He counts $4 million toward the 2026 salary cap.
Justin Fields: The 26-year-old didn't last the season as the Jets' QB1 due to a combination of performance and injury. In 9 games, he completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards with 7 TDs and 1 INT, with 4 rushing TDs. He is set to count $23 million toward the cap if the Jets keep him.
Tua Tagovailoa: The 27-year-old had a few moments after the Dolphins' horrid start, but he was benched after they were eliminated from playoff contention. He completed 67.7% of his passes for 20 TDs and 15 INTs. He's set to count $56.4 million toward the '26 cap.
Kyler Murray: After a hot start, the Cardinals' season cratered and the 28-year-old suffered a foot injury that ended his season. He's scheduled to count $53.3 million toward the '26 cap.
Dillon Gabriel: The Browns' 2025 third-round draft pick appeared in 10 games as a rookie, getting extensive work in five (937 passing yards, 59.5% completions, 7 TDs, 2 INTs). Shedeur Sanders finished the season, so will team management consider him necessary in '26?
Kirk Cousins: The 37-year-old has two years and $115 million remaining on his Atlanta contract, but that wouldn't be the Colts' problem. He led the Falcons to three late-season wins after Michael Penix Jr. went down with an injury. If the Falcons let go of Cousins, he would be an intriguing possibility. XXXXXXXX
Jameis Winston: The 32-year-old started a couple of games for the Giants in 2025. He has appeared in more than half of his team's games in just one season since 2019. He is set to count $5 million toward the '26 cap.
Geno Smith: The 35-year-old struggled as the Raiders faltered, completing 67.1% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 TDs and a league-leading 17 INTs heading into their season finale. He is set to count $26.5 million toward the '26 cap.
Will Levis: The 26-year-old was supplanted by Cam Ward in Tennessee and missed the 2025 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in the summer. He is set to count $1.1 million toward the '26 cap.
Deshaun Watson: The 30-year-old didn't play in 2025 after aggravating an Achilles injury suffered the season before. He is set to count $80 million (yes, that much) toward the '26 cap, but Cleveland has rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the building.