The Indianapolis Colts took a big step toward improving their future outlook in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With the No. 4 overall pick, they selected Florida quarterback, Anthony Richardson.
It is the third time since 1998 that the Colts have selected a quarterback inside the top five of the draft, as they selected Peyton Manning that season and Andrew Luck in 2012. They are hoping that Richardson can find the same kind of success that those two did when they were under center.
Already named the starting quarterback for the team, there are certainly some expectations on Richardson. After a tumultuous few years, the Colts have had cycling through quarterbacks. Since Luck abruptly retired in 2019, the team is hopeful Richardson is their long-term answer.
In that span, there have been seven different players starting at the position. But, it is different with Richardson, who spoke about some of the pressures that he is facing entering his first season in the NFL.
“Everybody wants me to come here and win a Super Bowl my first year,’’ Richardson said, via Mike Chappell of Fox59. “I wish I could, and I hope I can.
“But sometimes, you’ve got to understand it’s not all about me. [I’m] making sure everybody on this team is involved and everybody is doing their job, because I’m not the only one here.’’
While the win-loss record and onus are all on the quarterback’s shoulders, Richardson is correct that he will not be doing it alone. It takes more than just the quarterback for a team to find the ultimate success of winning a championship ring.
Richardson knows how important it is to not only produce on the field, but to be a leader for his teammates. While all eyes are on him, he knows it will take a team effort to get the job done.
“I know they invested a lot in me,’’ Richardson said Monday, “but I’m not the only person on this team. They invested a lot into the other players. They invested a lot into this staff.
“I know they’re going to ride with me, and I’m going to ride with them. I don’t really see it as I’m the main guy because, without the other pieces on the team, it’s not going to work.’’
Contending for a Super Bowl this season would certainly be a shocking turn of events for the Colts, who have plenty of work to do before reaching that level. But, should Richardson develop and reach his ceiling, the sky is the limit for the franchise.
