This is the Anthony Richardson Colts’ fans expected to see following an impressive initial rookie debut. Has he arrived?
There’s no question that from a size, arm talent, speed, and athleticism standpoint, that Indianapolis Colts 2nd-year starting quarterback Anthony Richardson could potentially be great.
That is, if it eventually all truly clicks on the field.
The former 4th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, who is still just 22 years old (and one of the youngest starting NFL quarterbacks), has already shown flashes of his immense physical gifts and potential—even if he still remains a bit of a work in progress as an NFL passer.
Earlier in the 2024 season, coming back from a season-ending shoulder surgery that limited him to just 4 starts as a rookie, Richardson endured his fair share of growing pains.
To-date, the highs remain high, and the lows remain low—and it’s been a rollercoaster ride:
Highest big-time throw rate this season (PFF):
1. Anthony Richardson (7.4%)Highest turnover-worthy play rate this season:
1. Anthony Richardson (4.7%) pic.twitter.com/HuzEwq5Tha— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 11, 2024
Initially this year, those lows seemed to outweigh the highs as Richardson was in the midst of a ‘sophomore slump,’ before things truly reached a boiling over point after his infamous ‘tap out’ during Week 8’s road loss against the Houston Texans.
After that, Richardson was benched for two weeks before the Colts were forced to hand the reins back over to him as veteran Joe Flacco struggled immensely as his replacement.
Perhaps, it was a wake up call for Richardson needing to put in more work, time, and attention to detail off-the-field, or maybe it was just a bit freeing by allowing him to slow down and take a breath—as a short-term sideline observer, allowing him to play more loosely since being reinstated as the starter.
Since that ‘learning lesson’ though, Richardson has begun to turn the corner and take another step forward as a starting NFL quarterback regarding his growth and development.
He’s gone from being the free-swinging ‘all or nothing’ home run hitter—swinging for the fences each and every at bat for a big play deep (and sometimes to his team’s own detriment), to hitting singles, doubles, and even occasional triples.
Finding ways to get on base, hit the ball to all areas of the field, and manufacture runs—even of course, showcasing his legs on the basepaths, with elite dual-threat mobility.
Simply put, he’s been really locked in largely over his past 3 starts since regaining the role:
#Colts HC Shane Steichen on the changes he’s seen in QB Anthony Richardson, who’s now at 13 NFL starts (the same amount he had at Florida):
“His pocket presence has been really strong. … He’s delivering the ball where it needs to go. He’s making a ton of plays with his legs …” pic.twitter.com/xQ0Pqg4gZ3
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 9, 2024
Shane Steichen on Anthony Richardson:
“I thought he played pretty darn well looking back at the tape. … He was efficient running the football. He threw it to the right guy, made the right reads. I know he missed a few that he wants back, but man, I thought he did a great job.”
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) November 25, 2024
Richardson’s pocket presence has never been in question, which has been well beyond his years, but it’s the composure, taking what the defense gives him, progressing through his reads until making the right throw, and playing within himself, that’s been really impressive.
This is the young tantalizing quarterback that Colts fans expected to see following an initial impressive rookie debut—even if it was limited because of injury.
He can still go full super nova here.
It’s just taken a bit longer in 2024 than we initially anticipated, but that patience and conviction in Richardson is starting to pay off again for the Colts franchise.
