INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts are set to reexamine their quarterback lineup as they look to bolster competition for current quarterback Anthony Richardson in the upcoming season. General Manager Chris Ballard announced plans to bring in a viable contender to push Richardson, aiming to provide a competitive environment that could foster improvement and growth.
Anthony Richardson was drafted fourth overall in the 2023 draft with the expectation that he would become the franchise’s long-term starter. However, Ballard asserts that adding another quarterback into the mix could spark beneficial competition. Speaking at the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, Ballard emphasized the importance of finding the right challenger, noting that competition is beneficial not only for the team but also for Richardson’s development. “We drafted Anthony high, aware this would be a time-consuming process with expected challenges,” Ballard explained.
Richardson has faced significant hurdles in his first two seasons, primarily due to injuries that have kept him sidelined. After sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 5 of his rookie season, he was ruled out for the remainder of that year. In the following season, additional injuries forced him to miss four games, and he was benched twice to concentrate on both personal and professional growth.
On the field, Richardson has struggled with passing precision. With a completion rate of just 47.7% in 2024, the lowest among NFL starters, and recording 11 touchdowns alongside 13 interceptions in 15 career starts, there’s plenty of room for improvement. Despite these challenges, the Colts remain supportive, foreseeing a strategic advantage through the introduction of another credible quarterback. This competition could potentially accelerate Richardson’s development, especially considering this will be his first offseason without health setbacks.
Head coach Shane Steichen highlighted the need for consistency from Richardson, noting, “We’ve had discussions about being reliable in performance. He’s demonstrated great things in his 15 games, but we are working towards steady performance.”
Richardson has shown promise with his physically imposing presence, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 244 pounds. His dynamic ability to run, evidenced by his 499 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season, offers a unique asset to the team. Despite the injury risk associated with his running style, the Colts encourage him to leverage this strength, especially with Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor sharing the backfield.
The duo, when injury-free, presents a formidable challenge for opposing defensive lines. The critical question remains: how soon Richardson will evolve into a threat for passing defenses too. There is a belief within the Colts organization that introducing another prospective starter might be key to hastening Richardson’s advancement. “Everyone desires a complete product immediately,” Ballard remarked. “I do, you do, fans do. But we believe adding competition can elevate everyone’s performance.”
