Since being drafted No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson hasn’t panned out like the Indianapolis Colts had hoped. While he possesses the physical tools to wow fans, the third-year quarterback hasn’t been able to put everything together and solidify himself as his team’s future behind center.
This season will go a long way in deciding whether Richardson will be a long-term answer in Circle City. Shane Steichen’s team brought in Daniel Jones, the former New York Giants starter, on a one-year, $14 million deal this offseason. The Colts begin their preseason by facing off with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.
How will Steichen balance his quarterbacks as they compete to lead Indianapolis into the regular season?
Will Anthony Richardson Take the Field Against Baltimore?
Yes, Richardson is set to start against John Harbaugh’s Ravens. Steichen said Richardson will play the entire first quarter and half of the second. Jones will take over for the latter half of the second quarter.
When the Colts take on the Green Bay Packers in the second game on their preseason slate, the roles will be reversed. Just because Richardson is starting against Baltimore doesn’t mean he’s locked up the job for good.
“In a perfect world, that’s how I want it to play out,” Steichen said after the Colts’ joint practice with the Ravens. Over his two go-rounds with the Colts, Richardson has an uninspiring 8-7 record as a starter. He’s thrown two more interceptions (13) than he has touchdowns (11).
Entering last season, Richardson was recovering from an AC joint surgery. The regular season was bumpy, as well, as he was benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco for a stretch last season. At one point before being moved down the depth chart, he checked himself out of a game against the Houston Texans because of fatigue.
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A team source labeled Richardson’s benching as a “growth opportunity,” adding that the team wasn’t quitting on him. While he regained his starting gig, that job isn’t at all a sure thing going forward. Richardson and Jones were listed together atop the Colts’ “unofficial” depth chart on Monday.
Beginning on the road against the Ravens, Richardson will have to impress Steichen after a bumpy first two seasons in order to be Indianapolis’ guy once again. Surely, Jones’ addition has lit a different sort of fire under the Florida Gators’ product.
