Daniel Jones won Week 1 starter duties for Indianapolis, shifting the Colts’ quarterback plan after Anthony Richardson’s ascent as a top-5 pick. The decision, framed by nuanced on-field operation and protection dynamics, signals Indy’s willingness to pace Richardson’s development and protect the long-term investment. Richardson’s protracted timeline, injury history, and the team’s previous benching episodes linger as context for his future with the franchise.

Trade-market chatter is inevitable: Richardson’s ceiling could tempt contenders, but Indy’s leverage remains limited by contract control and riser expectations. The Saints loom as a potential suitor, while Jones’s reclamation path in a solid roster positions him to leverage stability for fantasy-relevant targets. For fantasy managers, Richardson’s rushing juice keeps him intriguing, but Week 1’s pivot highlights the unsettled path to a reliable yearly ceiling in Indy.