Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter on backup QB battle: 'May the best man win'

Yahoo Sports1h ago27 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter stated that it's too early to determine whether Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard will be the backup quarterback. The team is currently focused on drills as they prepare for the offseason program.

Key points

Jim Bob Cooter is the Colts' offensive coordinator.
Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard are competing for the backup QB position.
Richardson was away from the team for the first two weeks of the offseason.
The Colts are currently in Phase Two of their voluntary offseason program.
Cooter emphasized that the best man should win the competition.

Mentioned in this story

Jim Bob CooterAnthony RichardsonRiley LeonardJacksonvilleHouston

Colts

Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter on backup QB battle: 'May the best man win'

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said it’s “too soon” for the franchise to have determined whether former fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr. or sixth-rounder Riley Leonard is its No. 2 quarterback at the moment, as Indianapolis moves to on-field drills this week in Phase Two of the team’s voluntary offseason program.

“We’re going about our business the way that we do, going through drills and routes on air, working through some walkthrough tempo things,” Cooter told reporters Wednesday when asked how Richardson’s return to the building had affected the the Colts’ offseason program. The 23-year-old spent the first two weeks of the Colts’ offseason program away from the team working with his own trainer in Jacksonville as players in Indianapolis cycled through meetings, conditioning and strength training work and physical rehab.

But despite Richardson’s request to pursue a trade in February at the NFL Combine – a request the Colts were willing to grant, but have since – the young quarterback returned to the team facility on Monday. His arrival , the 2025 rookie who made his first career start in the finale in January at and who entered this offseason as Jones continues to rehab his torn Achilles tendon.

Q&A

Who are the Colts' backup quarterback candidates for 2026?

The backup quarterback candidates for the Colts in 2026 are Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard.

What did Jim Bob Cooter say about the backup QB competition?

Jim Bob Cooter mentioned that it's too soon to decide who will be the No. 2 quarterback and emphasized that the best man should win the competition.

Why was Anthony Richardson away from the Colts during the offseason program?

Anthony Richardson spent the first two weeks of the Colts' offseason program away from the team to work with his own trainer in Jacksonville.

What impact does Anthony Richardson's return have on the Colts' QB situation?

Richardson's return has ignited an internal competition for the backup quarterback position with Riley Leonard as the team prepares for increased responsibilities.