Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson isn't worried about Indianapolis signing Daniel Jones to compete for the starting signal-caller job.
"I definitely don't take it personal," Richardson said, according to team writer JJ Stankevitz. "I definitely love working, I love getting better, so whenever there's an opportunity for me to go and chase that, why not do it?"
He added, "Competition brings the best out of you. That's just how life works. You just gotta compete and get better because somebody to the right, left, or in front of you is trying to outwork you and be better than you. Competition, I love it."
Jones signed a one-year, $14-million deal worth up to $17.7 million with incentives in March. General manager Chris Ballard said shortly afterward that there would be a competition for the starting job between Richardson and Jones.
The 27-year-old Jones was released by the Giants in November and signed with the Minnesota Vikings for the remainder of the campaign. He threw 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 10 starts last season. Jones was selected sixth overall in the 2019 draft.
Richardson is coming off a tumultuous year in which he was benched midway through the season for Joe Flacco. He reclaimed the starting role two games later, finishing with a 6-5 record in 11 starts. The 2023 fourth overall selection completed just 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The 22-year-old said he's been working with private quarterback coach Dr. Tom Gormely to focus on footwork and staying calm in the pocket.
"That was one of the main things I wanted to focus on because everybody knows I can throw the ball whenever I'm smooth, but I want to find opportunities for myself to be consistent when I am off-balance and make decent throws," Richardson said. "And even when everything is perfect, making sure my feet are intact and my width and my base are solid and I'm just completing a pass."
Indianapolis' offense ranked 24th in EPA/play and 27th in success rate last season, according to Ben Baldwin's database.
