Colts pits Anthony Richardson against newbie; can the QB come out as an MVP?

Now that the NFL Draft has wrapped up and the offseason in full swing, rookie minicamps are underway, and training camp is just around the corner. Although the regular season is still some months away, it's never too early to start speculating on who might win the NFL MVP award at season’s end.Typically, the MVP trophy is awarded to a quarterback, and in recent years, the same few names have consistently been in the running such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and occasionally a standout non-QB, like Saquon Barkley last year, has made a strong case.But instead of focusing on usual contenders, let's look at a dark horse player who could potentially take home the MVP honors especially as a comeback star. It's no secret that Indianapolis Colts player Anthony Richardson had a difficult 2024 season. He was benched midway through the year, faced struggles with his accuracy, and dealt with multiple injuries all of which led many to question how long Richardson’s NFL career might last.However, new reports suggest that the Colts remain confident in his potential, yet they recognize that this year could be a turning point—either ushering in a new era or prompting a major rebuild. While they’re willing to give him the starting role if necessary, they’re primarily hoping that the competition in camp will help push Richardson to develop further. After a standout rookie season, Richardson’s recent performances have been disappointing.The Indianapolis Colts have begun one of the most interesting quarterback competitions in the NFL, by putting Anthony Richardson against newcomer Daniel Jones. The Colts understood that if they were to move forward with Richardson as their potential starting quarterback, he would need to face competition and also work on himself. To that end, they signed Jones early in free agency.Jones had once looked promising with the New York Giants, earning a $160 million contract extension after a breakout 2022 season. However, his progress was derailed when he suffered a season-ending knee injury just a few weeks after Richardson’s injury, limiting him to only six games that year. His 2024 season also turned out badly, leading to him being benched before requesting and receiving his release. He then joined the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad for the rest of the season before entering free agency this March.Both Richardson and Jones are facing the harsh reality that this could be their final opportunity to show they can be the long-term starters for an NFL team. For Richardson, the expectations are especially high. Once seen as the franchise’s future, he now must prove his capability to lead the team. This is a critical juncture in his early career, with the organization indicating that while he currently has the advantage, nothing is assured. Jones on the other hand must simply excel in is targets.With training camp just a few months away, we should soon get clearer updates on how the battle for the starting quarterback position is shaping up.