Colts roster preview: Can Riley Leonard secure backup QB role?

June 25, 2026 - 19:36

With training camp still on the horizon, the Indianapolis Colts are methodically working through their 90-man roster. The next name under the microscope is quarterback Riley Leonard, a player whose path to a roster spot is far from guaranteed.

Leonard enters a quarterback room that is clearly defined at the top. Anthony Richardson is the undisputed starter, and veteran Joe Flacco holds the primary backup role. That leaves Leonard competing for the third spot, a position that often carries a developmental label. However, the question in Indianapolis is whether the team will carry three quarterbacks into the regular season, or if Leonard can outplay expectations and push for the number two job.

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Leonard has the physical tools that fit the modern NFL. He showed flashes of mobility and arm strength during his college career at Notre Dame and previously at Duke. Yet, his transition to the pro game has been about consistency and processing speed. In training camp drills, he will need to prove he can read defenses quickly and deliver accurate throws under pressure.

The Colts' coaching staff has emphasized competition at every level. Leonard's best chance to secure a role will be through special teams contributions or by showing enough promise that the team views him as a long-term project worth protecting on the active roster. If he struggles, he could find himself on the practice squad, waiting for an opportunity.

For now, Leonard is a name to watch. His performance in preseason games will likely determine whether he sticks or becomes a camp casualty.