INDIANAPOLIS -- If Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones have any ambiguity about their current standing in the NFL, they need only to look at their teams' handling of them for a sobering reminder.
Richardson, whom the Indianapolis Colts drafted with the No. 4 pick in 2023, recently learned of the team's intention to have him compete for his starting job after beginning the past two seasons atop the depth chart.
Meanwhile, Jones' last on-field action resulted in his benching by the New York Giants, who drafted him No. 6 in 2019 and later rewarded him with a contract extension. He was so dismayed by the demotion to No. 3 quarterback that he asked for -- and received -- his release from the team on Nov. 22, which led to him signing with the Minnesota Vikings.
Now the two quarterbacks have reached a crossroads in their respective careers, and they will confront those pivotal moments alongside one another.
Jones agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts on Tuesday and is expected to square off against Richardson in training camp, with the starting job at stake. Whatever transpires could have a significant impact on each player's career in the short and long term.
Both obviously want to play, and now there's an understanding going in that they'll need to earn whatever playing time they get.
"You always want to be on the field," Jones told reporters in January. "You always want to be playing and competing."
Richardson, speaking after the conclusion of an up-and-down season that created doubts about his future, knew he'd have much to prove going forward.
"I've been competing all my life," he said. "I love competing. So, if the team feels like that's the right direction we want to go in, I'm all for it. I'm competing."
That proved to be a prescient comment. The Colts have committed to letting this situation play out because they believe competition will produce the best performance from each player.
"We want to create real competition," general manager Chris Ballard said during the NFL combine. "I think it's good for the team. I think it's good for Anthony ... As he continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help up everybody's game."
The potential for being named the starter is the biggest carrot for the two quarterbacks. But, in the grand scheme, there are many other variables.
Richardson is looking to define himself after two seasons that have the Colts seemingly wavering on whether he is their future. He missed 12 games as a rookie in 2023 with a season-ending shoulder injury, then missed another six games last season with separate oblique and back issues.
Additionally, he struggled when on the field. His 50.6% career completion rate is startlingly low, with his inconsistency as a passer undermining his explosive playmaking potential. Richardson will also be seeking to put to rest questions about his professionalism and preparation, which the Colts cited as a reason for his two-week benching last season.
"We fell short this past season, especially with not making it into the playoffs, but I feel like I could have done a lot more," he said. "I could have done a lot more in the building, outside of the building -- just in my life -- to be a better player. So, I think the expectation is going to be a little bit more."
There is also money on the line for Richardson. Decisions on lucrative fifth-year contract options for first-round picks from the 2023 draft will need to be made after the coming season. That means the Colts' decision about his fate in 2027 will be based largely on how Richardson performs in 2025.
For Jones, he's seeking to prove he is indeed a starting quarterback. The Giants ultimately decided he was not, but Indianapolis is giving him an opportunity to demonstrate otherwise. The greater potential for playing time with the Colts is believed to be among the chief reasons Jones opted for Indianapolis. The Vikings, with whom he was in talks until the very end, are seen as being committed to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, at least for the long term.
Jones has been in the league for six seasons, but there is no greater example of what is possible at the right time and place than his former Minnesota teammate Sam Darnold. After a rocky start to his career, he came off the bench and helped lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record last season. He was rewarded this week with a three-year, $100.5 million contract from the Seattle Seahawks. Jones, 27, is just two weeks older than Darnold.
Can Jones similarly manage to resurrect his wayward career? The answer is likely to come in training camp.
The situation in Indianapolis is simple: two quarterbacks, one job and lots of huge implications.