The Indianapolis Colts have spent the last few seasons scrambling to find an answer at the quarterback position. They have tried different veterans and stopgap options, leading to the team coming up short of the expectations set.
After another disastrous season with an over-the-hill veteran in Matt Ryan in 2022, the team finally made a conscious decision to find a long-term answer. With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Florida quarterback, Anthony Richardson.
Richardson will be competing with free agent signing Gardner Minshew for the starting job during training camp. Minshew likely has an upper leg right now, coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles along with new head coach Shane Steichen.
He knows the offense and can help the rest of his teammates learn a new scheme as well. However, Richardson will assuredly be in the game plan each week. His skills and athleticism can still be put to use even if he isn’t the starting quarterback.
Oozing with game-changing potential, Richardson was a no-brainer choice for Jared Dubin of CBS Sports as the Colts’ biggest offensive X-Factor for the 2023 season. His development this offseason is something everyone will be keeping an eye on.
“Richardson is a one-of-a-kind athlete, one of the most unique players ever to enter the league. How he’s able to make the transition to the NFL, and how immediately he’s able to translate that athleticism into production — whether on the ground or through the air — is the single most important factor for the Colts’ offense this season.”
His production at Florida certainly didn’t scream first-round pick. He completed only 54.7 percent of his passes in three seasons for 3,105 yards and 24 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. Those numbers leave a lot to be desired, but his athleticism is off the charts.
During the pre-draft process, Richardson was setting records with some of his performances. He is the real-life form of a create-a-player in Madden NFL video games as his combination of size and athleticism has quite literally never been seen before at the quarterback position.
Can the Colts harness and develop that potential? Richardson has some developing to do, but the tools are there for him to become a very good player at the next level. The Colts are certainly hoping that he realizes it and that he is their starting quarterback for years to come.
