Leonard appeared in five games as a rookie, starting the season finale after Indianapolis was eliminated from playoff contention. In that start against the Texans, he threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, added a rushing touchdown, and also logged an interception. Across his limited action, he totaled 415 passing yards, two TDs, three interceptions, and two rushing scores.
Jones’s injury and contract situation complicate the near-term outlook. Jones flashed strong passing numbers to begin the 2025 season in Shane Steichen’s offense, but a fractured leg and ACL tear sidelined him for the year. The Colts gave him a two-year, $88 million deal to stay in Indianapolis, yet the path to a Week 1 job in 2026 is far from guaranteed while he continues to recover.
Complicating the QB picture is the offseason context around Anthony Richardson, who has reportedly requested a trade and has not attended voluntary OTAs. That development, combined with injuries in the depth chart, has created a clearer route for Leonard to compete for the starting role in 2026.
Leonard himself has stressed a measured approach, emphasizing daily improvement and readiness for what comes next. “Taking it one day at a time” is how he framed the current situation, underscoring his focus on earning a chance to help the team as soon as he’s given opportunity.
Head coach Shane Steichen has echoed the sentiment, noting that Leonard will get ample reps as the team begins OTAs and progresses into spring training and camp. Steichen praised Leonard’s performance when he stepped in last year and said the goal is continued growth in understanding the offense, playmaking ability, completion rate, and smart decision-making as part of the year-two progression. Leonard now has a real opportunity to prove he can be a starting NFL quarterback.
