It’s shaping up to be a make-or-break season for 3rd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis…
According to CBS Sports Cody Benjamin, Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson is among nine NFL players who must prove themselves in 2025—or bust:
Anthony Richardson
IND • QB • #5
Season: 3rd | Drafted: No. 4 (2023)
Everyone anticipated Richardson might need time to develop into an NFL-caliber arm after making just 13 erratic starts at the college level. After two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, however, the supersized Florida product has already lost the starting gig multiple times, either due to lingering injuries or untimely inaccuracy. He’s a rare physical specimen, but the Colts signaled their concern about both his durability and decision-making by adding veteran Daniel Jones on a not-so-cheap deal as QB1 competition.
Why he will bust: Two years in, he’s only managed to suit up for 15 games, and his most notable moment may have been when he checked himself out of the lineup. Completing barely 50% of his throws is also a problem.
Why he won’t: His arm talent and supersized elusiveness are still top-tier traits, and coach Shane Steichen has maximized dual-threat quarterbacks before (see: Jalen Hurts). The Jones competition should also motivate him.
Our prediction: Will bust
This was already expected to be a critical upcoming year for the Colts’ top leadership which includes longtime general manager Chris Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen, and the former 4th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, 3rd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Let alone with a new ownership transition for the franchise to the Irsay family’s three daughters after late team owner Jim Irsay’s unfortunate recent passing.
If the Colts do not earn an AFC playoff berth in 2025, new CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon could clean house—including the still only 23-year-old Richardson among the potential casualties.
Given Richardson’s recent surgically repaired right throwing shoulder soreness flare up, it seems as though members of the national media have been piling it on a bit more recently.
Richardson experienced soreness in the shoulder during Day 2 of OTAs and subsequently shut it down for the team’s ensuing veteran minicamp until early training camp begins in late July.
However, yes, he has to continue to show growth and development as a passer, particularly regarding his lowly completion rate last season. That maturation includes off-the-field too—although Richardson made some strides in that regard last season down the final stretch.
That being said, one of the biggest pitfalls for Richardson right now may just be his lack of availability, as he hasn’t been able to seemingly stay healthy to-date—having missed 19 starts already in his early two-year career (including two last year to a midseason benching).
This is a young quarterback who desperately needs starting experience and reps, who hasn’t been able to actually get it on the field because he can’t consistently stay healthy.
Will all of that change in 2025?
I’ll say this, the talent, ability and potential is all very much there for Richardson to still succeed as an elite NFL quarterback—starting as soon as this upcoming season.
However, I do think it’s more likely than not that he realistically doesn’t pan out in Indianapolis (especially given some of the recent developments)—and that’s more of the fact that a lot of franchise quarterback hopefuls ultimately bust league-wide.
I’d love for the Horseshoe to be pleasantly surprised though!
