Luck's 2019 retirement kicked off a Colts QB carousel, with Brissett starting 15 in 2019, Rivers in 2020, Wentz in 2021, Ryan in 2022, then Ehlinger, Foles, and Minshew through 2022-2023. Richardson became the 2023-24 focal point with 15 starts, followed by Flacco in 2024. Daniel Jones emerges for 2025 with starts listed as N/A. The era highlights volatility at the position and the rising appeal of Richardson’s rushing upside for fantasy managers.

Fantasy players should weigh upside vs. reliability: Richardson offers top-end ceiling; Jones brings unknowns in 2025; the Colts still lack a clear, consistent long-term QB. Draft strategies should consider rushing equity, supporting cast, and the rapid turnover that defined Indianapolis’ post-Luck era.

Daniel Jones won the Colts’ Week 1 start, pushing Anthony Richardson to the sideline as Indianapolis aims for a steadier passing floor with a veteran at the helm. Richardson pushed through a rookie-year injury cloud and flashed rushing upside, but the organization preferred Jones’s experience and playoff-tested poise to anchor a season that could hinge on health and gradual accuracy improvements. The shift also shines a light on the Colts’ QB plan: a high-ceiling youngster versus a more proven, steadier option in Jones, with Week 1 looming against Miami.

Fantasy rosters should weigh the Jones–Richardson dynamic carefully. Richardson’s rushing floor remains tantalizing, but health and accuracy have limited his ceiling so far; Jones offers a lower-risk floor with an easier path to steady fantasy production if he can leverage Indianapolis’s weapons and minimize mistakes. The Colts’ decision underscores the volatility and upside of rookie quarterbacks, while Week 1 exposure to the Dolphins adds immediate test-case value for both signal-callers. Meanwhile, Gardner Minshew’s role and the Giants’ Tommy DeVito cameo echo a broader NFL QB carousel—yet the Colts lean on Jones to stabilize their offense early in a season that promises drama at the position.

Seattle jumped out to a fast start in the Friday night preseason tilt, riding Sam Darnold’s quick attack to an early lead and forcing Kansas City into uncomfortable spots. A crisp 81-yard opening drive from Darnold set the tone, and Seattle capitalized on a defensive PI call that helped Robert Tonyan cross the line for a one-yard score later in the drive that Minshew steered for KC. The Chiefs answered but Seattle still owned the first half, piling up 309 yards of offense (174 rushing) to KC’s 104 and pushing the edge to 23-7 at the break. The Seahawks continued to press in the second half, crossing the 400-yard mark while Kansas City couldn’t sustain the momentum. Jalen Royals supplied a meaningful special-teams jolt, flipping field position and helping Seattle keep the pressure on. For fantasy executives, Seattle’s early-bandwidth approach and Tonyan’s red-zone target presence are notable, while KC’s offense showed punch from Minshew, with potential stacking options as the offense settles on a Week 1 plan.

In fantasy terms, the Darnold-to-Seahawks storyline bears watching as Seattle leans into a diversified passing attack, with Tonyan offering a convenient short-area option in high-leverage spots. KC’s early chemistry between Minshew and Tonyan signals credible in-season upside if the Chiefs lean into this pairing in shorter-yardage sequences. The game also underscored Seattle’s depth at running back and the potential for a more balanced attack that could yield several weekly contributors, depending on play-calling and opponent. preseason performances rarely predict the full season, but the data here points to some workable depth-chart shifts that fantasy managers should track closely.

Gardner Minshew continues to impress as Kansas City’s top backup, pairing quickly with Robert Tonyan for a touchdown and running the offense with confidence in Friday’s action. He stressed the importance of clear communication and operating smoothly with the first-team group as reps mount.

Through two preseason showcases, Minshew sits at 13 of 18 for 124 yards with a touchdown and a rushing score, demonstrating comfort in KC’s schemes behind Mahomes. Tonyan has quickly become his most reliable target, a smart, space-aware playmaker who helps stabilize the offense and adds fantasy-friendly upside for late-round tight ends and deep-league stash options.

Tonyan’s savvy route-running and feel for space give Minshew a trustworthy safety valve, which could translate to steady weekly production if this chemistry holds into the regular season. In fantasy terms, Minshew could become a speculative two-quarterback option in deeper leagues if Mahomes misses time, while Tonyan’s role might elevate him to a streamer-tier TE in Kansas City’s dynamic attack.