8 quotes that stood out from Day 1 of Colts training camp

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Colts football has returned.

Wednesday marked the first day of practice for the Indianapolis Colts at training camp.

Here are eight quotes that stood out from Day 1 of Colts training camp:

1. Shane Steichen on the quarterback competition

“I talked to these guys, met with them yesterday, sat down with them – just talked about the consistency of the operation, just moving the football up and down the field. Told those guys too, no timetable on this thing. Let those guys compete, let the process play out and we’ll go from there.”

The Colts enter training camp with an open competition at the quarterback position between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones.

Richardson is heading into year three with the Colts. He started 11 games for the Colts in 2024, throwing for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Jones was signed by the Colts in free agency this offseason. He threw for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions with the New York Giants in 2024.

2. Jones on Steichen talking with both quarterbacks about the competition

“Yeah, I certainly appreciate it. He’s been up front since the spring. Since we all got back here, and I think as a player you always appreciate a coach being up front and transparent with you and communicating.”

3. Richardson on his mentality during the quarterback competition

“Honestly, just loving the process. These past two years, I definitely tried to embrace that a little bit more. Everybody wants success right here, right now, but I feel like sometimes when you get success, it’s not really all what it seems. The process is really the best thing, and that’s really what I am trying to enjoy now. Also, when it comes to competition, of course I am competing with Daniel (Jones), but I am also competing with myself, trying to be the better version of myself than I was last year. There are definitely things I could have worked on last year, so I am trying to improve on that and make sure I’m just available for the team whenever they need me.”

This is the second time in Richardson’s career he has been in a quarterback competition. He competed, and beat, Gardner Minshew II in his rookie season in 2023.

4. Richardson on the fans cheering for him at training camp

“It’s exciting because I know this city loves and supports me. I’ve just got to do my part – make sure that I can do everything in my power to be the quarterback they want me to be and they need me to be. It definitely feels good, but I can’t let it get to my head. I still got a lot of work to do, and I still got to get that job. I definitely appreciate it, but (the) work not done.”

The fans at training camp showed their support for Richardson on Wednesday, cheering him as he began 11-on-11 drills.

5. Jones on what he has to do to win the job

“I think just performing at a high level. Showing consistency – in my preparation, consistency on the field and my performance. Like I said, it’s a long process and focusing on kind of what I’m doing day-to-day I think’s the best way to go about it. So, that’s what I’m focused on.”

6. Richardson on losing weight in the offseason

“Surprisingly, I actually lost weight. I wasn’t trying, but it just happened. So, now I’m like 240 moving a little faster, feeling a little lean, and hopefully I can keep it like that and stay healthy.”

7. Steichen on his impressions of Charvarius Ward

“Very impressed. Great signing by Chris (Ballard) to get him on this football team. You saw how sticky he was and the plays he made. I don’t know how many he made today, but he made a ton. So, great to have him out there.”

Steichen smiled before talking about Ward.

The Colts signed Ward to a three-year, $54 million deal this offseason. He was a Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro second-team in 2023.

8. Ward on what he wants the secondary to be this season

“I want to be the best secondary in the NFL, force turnovers, make plays, and just have fun. Play with swag and confidence. Everybody out there flying around. Maybe we can intimidate teams on film by the way we play and the way we run and hit.”

The Colts were 26th in passing defense in 2024, but were seventh in the NFL in interceptions with 16.

The Colts get back on the field at Grand Park for the second day of training camp on Thursday from 10-11 a.m.

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