One of many greatest non-draft-related tales to emerge from the NFL mix this week concerned Indianapolis Colts normal supervisor Chris Ballard confirming that 2023 first-round draft decide Anthony Richardson will likely be a part of an “open” competitors for the beginning job this summer season.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen later detailed how he desires Richardson to enhance from ongoing offseason exercises by way of the upcoming competitors that might decide if the 22-year-old continues to be with the Colts presently subsequent 12 months.
“Constructing on the basics and clearly persevering with to work on his passing,” Steichen stated, as shared by Paul Bretl of Colts Wire/USA Immediately. “Getting the completion proportion up will likely be large going ahead for him. It’s repetitions. You have a look at these issues, simply repetitions going again and again goes to be large for him. The basic a part of it. I believe he has actually fast toes. I’ve stated that earlier than, actually fast toes, and I believe it’s simply getting the repetitions with these guys to get that completion proportion up.”
As famous by Professional Soccer Reference, Richardson ended 2024 ranked final within the NFL amongst certified passers with a 47.7 p.c completion proportion. He additionally had the league’s worst passer score (61.6) and was fortieth out of 43 gamers with a 36 p.c passing success fee.
Simply as worrisome as these numbers is the truth that Richardson hasn’t proven he can keep wholesome as a full-time beginning quarterback for greater than a few months at a time. A shoulder damage value him the vast majority of his rookie season, and he missed time throughout the 2024 marketing campaign due to a reported indirect/stomach downside and extreme again spasms. In whole, he has began simply 15 of a potential 34 video games since being named Indianapolis’ QB1 in August 2023.
“I believe consistency is the most important factor,” Steichen added. “We’ve had these conversations, myself and him. Simply being constant. Clearly, being on the sphere — 15 video games the final two years. He performed 11 final 12 months and did some actually good issues, however simply on the lookout for the consistency.”
It is now clear that merely exhibiting “consistency” will not be sufficient for Steichen to call Richardson the Colts’ Week 1 starter this coming summer season. Actually, Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star is amongst these questioning if the Colts might “fully hand over on Richardson” by pursuing an enormous title similar to Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings or Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
