What Is Riley Leonard’s Future With Colts?
The Colts had a busy weekend with the NFL Draft and outside of first-round pick, Tyler Warren, the name that seems to be the most notable out of their 2025 Draft class was their sixth-round selection. With the 189th overall pick, the Colts selected Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. The Colts have an open competition heading into training camp between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones so the selection of Leonard seems like a “break in case of emergency” selection. Richardson and Jones will likely get all of the reps in training camp if this competition is as open as the Colts say it is, which means Leonard will compete with Jason Bean for QB3 duties, which likely means a spot on the practice squad. Its quite possible Leonard’s rookie season is a red shirt season at the professional level, at least that’s what the Colts should be hoping for. If Leonard does see the field in any capacity, it means things have gone seriously wrong with Richardson and Jones.
The Leonard selection gives the Colts at least some stability at the most important position in sports beyond 2025. Richardson is clearly entering a make-or-break Year 3 and Jones is only signed for one season, which means the quarterback room could look drastically different a year from now. Chris Ballard credited one of the reasons they selected Leonard was because of the natural connection he had with former Colts QB Philip Rivers, who had been training Leonard leading up to the draft.
“That is a definite connection. But good to get him. He’s a good player, a good athlete. We think he’s got some upside. He’ll come in and compete.” – Chris Ballard on the Riley Leonard’s connection with Philip Rivers
Leonard is a dual threat quarterback, as he racked up over 2,800 yards through the air and over 900 on the ground for the Fighting Irish in 2024. Shane Steichen credited Leonard leading Notre Dame to the national championship game as a reason for the selection, citing his athletic ability and the motivation to play well in big games.
“I just think the athletic ability that he has at the quarterback position, what he was able to do at Notre Dame this year, leading them to the National Championship speaks volumes of the player and the competitor that he is. Just to add that depth in that room is big.” – Shane Steichen on what Leonard brings to the table
How much run, if any, Leonard gets in OTAs and training camp will be something to keep an eye on but for now, it seems like he’s there to add some sort of feeling of stability in a crowded QB room with the hope that he can still develop even if the reps don’t fall his way during the summer by falling back on his high motor and drive.