by Colts Quarterback Depth Chart 2026: Jones, Richardson, Leonard
Daniel Jones is the starter.
Anthony Richardson is the backup.
Riley Leonard is third.
That is the Indianapolis quarterback room heading into Sunday night at Kansas City. This page does not get a new URL if the order changes. The order changes here.
The current depth chart
As of Sept. 18, 2026
- QB1 — Daniel Jones. Started Week 1. Lost 41–23 to Baltimore.
- QB2 — Anthony Richardson. Named backup Sept. 3. Did not play Week 1.
- QB3 — Riley Leonard. 2025 sixth-round pick. Lost the backup job in camp.
How the room got here
Richardson asked out. The trade never came. Steichen named him QB2 anyway. The fight was with Leonard. Richardson won the bench. The full story: Anthony Richardson named Colts QB2.
Jones is the present. Richardson is the emergency and the unfinished first-round pick. Leonard still has years left on his rookie deal. Richardson is the one whose next contract could hinge on what happens when he gets his chance.
What Week 1 showed
Baltimore 41, Indianapolis 23. Jones started. Richardson stayed on the sideline. Lamar Jackson threw for 324. Derrick Henry scored three times. Recap: Ravens 41, Colts 23.
One start does not close the room. It does set the default. Until Steichen says otherwise, Jones takes the first snap.
What is next
Sunday, Sept. 20. Colts at Chiefs. 8:20 p.m. ET. NBC / Peacock. Arrowhead.
Kansas City is 1–0 after 31–10 over Denver. Patrick Mahomes played. Kenneth Walker took 173. Full Week 2 window: NFL Week 2 schedule 2026.
If Jones stays upright, Richardson watches again. If he does not, this page changes the same night.
How this page will be updated
Edit the URL. Do not publish a twin.
- After Sunday Night: starter, snaps, whether Richardson entered.
- If Steichen names a new QB2, the list at the top moves.
- If Richardson is traded, the sentence at the top changes. The slug stays.
What it means
This is not a parade for Richardson. It is not a burial either.
Indianapolis has a starter, a backup it already announced, and a third-round clock that is not the story this week. The story this week is Arrowhead.
Jones first. Richardson next. Leonard third. Until the desk changes those three lines.
Desk note. Depth chart from Steichen’s Sept. 3 announcement and the Week 1 box. Next update after Colts at Chiefs, Sept. 20.
More: Richardson, QB2 · Ravens 41, Colts 23 · Week 2 board
