Colts star under high pressure in 2024 NFL season

Can this potential Colts star put it all together by 2024?

Some NFL fans may regard Jonathan Taylor as the Indianapolis Colts’ player under the most pressure for the 2024 season. Michael Pittman Jr. may potentially be involved in the conversation. However, the correct answer to this question is quarterback Anthony Richardson.

He also performed admirably in four games last season. He showed signs of brilliance by throwing for 577 yards and three touchdowns in four games before being injured. So, where on this side of Mars does it place Richardson in the “most pressure” debate?

Colts QB Anthony Richardson must prove himself

First, let’s look at indystar.com’s rating of the Colts’ most important players in 2024. Pittman ranks third, Taylor second, and … Richardson now holds the lead.

Okay, the obvious point is that the quarterback is the most important player on most NFL teams. But this is primarily true if you have an outstanding guy. This includes Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert. I understand if you want to squeeze in C.J. Stroud and Dak Prescott. How about Tua Tagovailoa? Maybe.

The quarterback isn’t always the most important player for other NFL clubs because the standard is lower. Each of the players listed above must either win the Super Bowl or fail. That’s the price you pay for having an outstanding signal-caller. For the remaining two-thirds of the league, replacing a quarterback means staying competitive. It signifies remaining in the playoff hunt rather than winning at that point.

Because the Colts aren’t real Super Bowl contenders, Richardson holds the #1 slot for a different reason. And it is much more about Richardson as a player than the Colts as a team.

NFL quarterbacks get a short string to “prove it”

Any player in the NFL has a limited window of opportunity. If you fail early on, you may not have another chance. Also, failing early might stick with a player even after success.

For example, suppose Richardson has a mediocre season in 2024. He throws too many interceptions, struggles in the fourth quarter, or demonstrates inconsistency. However, let us assume that the Colts continue to believe in him. They draft a couple weapons, and everyone becomes excited.

The 2025 season begins, and the Colts win their first five games. Richardson performs well, and NFL “insiders” — who are always bandwagoners (I digress, but those guys tend to want to be first so badly that they elevate guys before they’ve earned it) — think he’s the next Lamar Jackson. But the moment Richardson suffers a slump and the team loses a few games, those 2024 questions will pour out like clowns from a Volkswagen.

That’s the appeal of C.J. Stroud’s 2023 rookie season. Stroud played so brilliantly that he wasn’t questioned the first several times he hit a dip.

What about the injury history?

Injuries are another source of mental pressure for Richardson. It has been suggested that the NFL stands for Not For Long, but it also means No Fair League. A player does not have to be injury prone to suffer a major setback. Last year’s shoulder injury in the first half of a Week 5 victory over Tennessee raised red flags about Richardson’s injury history.

Of course, Richardson has a history of collegiate injuries, including hamstring (2021), knee (2021), and concussion (2021). In the NFL, a concussion suffered in Week 1 against the Texans cost him two or more games.

But here’s the really unfair part. If Richardson is injured again this season, it will take years of healthy seasons for the injury tag to be removed. “Yeah, he’s good, but can he stay healthy?” the NFL gurus would say. The good news is that he has been designated as “full go” for the 2024 training camp.

Still, Richardson won’t have much time to prove his worth. The Colts remained competitive last season and are a proud franchise. There is enough offensive talent to move the ball. In other words, Richardson does not have the same excuses as rookie Jayden Daniels in Washington.

Remember, Richardson is still a rookie. He has played four games and will need to play three-fourths of the season to complete a full year’s worth.

However, if the genetics rise to the surface, Richardson may be able to relieve the strain before the season reaches its midpoint. He is 6-foot-4 and weighs 244 pounds, making him a beast of a quarterback with a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 40.5 vertical leap. Questions remain about his accuracy, which must improve from 59.5% last year if he wants to be a standout. Because in the NFL, regardless of the player, it frequently comes down to threading that tiny window with the game on the line.

Richardson’s pressure clock starts ticking on September 8 against the same Texans.