Indianapolis Colts general manager, Chris Ballard, has observed positive changes in second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson appears more comfortable with the playbook, has matured both personally and professionally, and is conscious of the need to protect himself better from injuries as he continues to develop. Ballard acknowledges that Richardson is still a work in progress and may face challenges as he leads the Colts.
In his rookie season, Richardson, standing at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, demonstrated flashes of his playmaking abilities with both his arm strength and running skills, scoring four rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns in just four games. However, he struggled with accuracy, completing only 59.5% of his passes and dealt with turnovers before undergoing season-ending surgery due to various injuries.
Ballard believes Richardson will improve in protecting himself while maintaining his playing style. The general manager expects Richardson to enhance his decision-making and stay healthy as he gains more experience in the league. Despite facing some injuries, Richardson has shown progress during training camp and preseason games, indicating growth and development in his game.
As Richardson prepares for the upcoming season, he benefits from the experience gained in studying the team’s previous games and bonding with his teammates during the offseason. Furthermore, having a solid offensive line, strengthened receiving group, and the support of star running back Jonathan Taylor should provide Richardson with more opportunities to succeed on the field.
The Colts also focus on improving their defense, with Ballard praising the depth of their defensive line. They remain hopeful for the return of Samson Ebukam, a key player recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Although Ebukam’s return seems uncertain, the team remains optimistic about his potential comeback later in the season.
In other team news, the Colts made roster adjustments by acquiring Samuel Womack III off waivers while releasing Darrell Baker Jr. Additionally, they clarified the decision to release their final three draft selections in April, citing the competitive nature of roster-building in the NFL. Jaylin Simpson was added to the practice squad while Micah Abraham and Jonah Laulu were either claimed by other teams or released.
Overall, the Colts are optimistic about the upcoming season, with Richardson’s growth and leadership skills, combined with a strong supporting cast on offense and defense, positioning them to make a playoff push and break their opening day losing streak.