The Vikings reportedly made a run at keeping Jones for 2025 but the allure of a starting job in Indy lured Jones to the Colts. He’ll compete with Antony Richardson for Week 1 starting duties as Richardson undergoes biometrics training this offseason designed to clean up his terribly inaccurate passing and mechanically unsound throwing motion. Richardson since the start of 2023 ranks 42nd out of 42 qualifying QBs in completion rate over expected. Only four quarterbacks have a lower drop back success rate than Richardson over that two-season stretch. The Athletic’s James Boyd said in February Jones’ “abilities on the ground mean the offense won’t have to change much should Richardson miss more time due to injury” if A-Rich starts the year under center. The Colts are likely to flail between QB options in 2025, just as they did in 2024 with Richardson and Joe Flacco.

Jones is reportedly holding up the quarterback market as he vacillates between staying in Minnesota or signing with the Colts and competing with fledgling QB Anthony Richardson for the team’s Week 1 starting job. NFL Network has reported the Vikings are intent on bringing back Jones after he played for the team over the second half of the 2024 season, learning the offense and functioning as Sam Darnold’s backup. It remains to be seen whether Jones would have a chance to compete with JJ McCarthy for the Minnesota starting job if he remains with the Vikings. Since the start of the 2022 season, Jones ranks 25th out of 36 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per drop back.

In a joint ESPN report written by Fowler and Dan Graziano, the latter makes clear that the Browns are expected to draft a quarterback with the 2025 NFL draft’s second overall pick. However, Fowler adds that the three aforementioned veteran quarterbacks are also in play, perhaps as early-season starters or clipboard-holding mentors. Recent reports indicate that the Falcons are comfortable rostering Cousins as their backup behind Michel Penix Jr., which would require the Browns to give up more than just cash to get him. Per Fowler, cost is a concern for the Browns, given Deshaun Watson’s bloated contract, which may make the Cousins’ pairing unlikely.