Why Colts were impressed with Anthony Richardson’s maturity and…

Why Colts were impressed with Anthony Richardson’s maturity and progress behind the scenes following his season-ending injury

While Anthony Richardson’s debut season was only four games long, his coaches and teammates all saw promising signs from the No. 4 overall choice in 2023.

When Anthony Richardson returned to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center this fall after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, he found himself in a difficult situation.

Any development for the young Colts quarterback would have to take place behind the scenes. But, behind the scenes, the Colts were focused on how to defeat their next opponent. While the Colts would be Richardson’s squad again in 2024, they were now Gardner Minshew II’s team in 2023.

By all accounts, Richardson, who is still only 21 years old, handled the situation nicely.

“He did a good job of respecting and understanding that,” said quarterback Sam Ehlinger. “He was very encouraging and did a good job of supporting Gardner and being happy for him, but also continuing to be himself.”

Richardson not only had to take a second seat to Minshew, but he also had to deal with watching his first-year peers play in Houston and Charlotte.

“Especially being such a young guy and watching CJ (Stroud) and Bryce (Young) play, people don’t want to talk about it, but that’s taxing on your mental,” Pittman went on to say. “And just watching them play well and knowing that he wants to be out there as well.” And he is aware of the pressure and everything. He’s just getting ready to play, and he’s been working hard. I believe his greatest ball will arrive soon.

“Soon as in next year.”

Pittman’s sentiments were mirrored by Richardson’s teammates, who observed the effort and attention he put into both his rehab process and his off-the-field improvement. Richardson’s personality began to emerge as he became more at ease around the Colts’ facilities, according to Ehlinger. During practices, he was “locked in,” according to Ehlinger, and constantly asked questions about the gameplan and how to attack opposition defenses. Richardson meticulously took notes throughout discussions.

And his teammates observed not only a player who was careful in his rehab from shoulder surgery, but also a player who, as running back Jonathan Taylor put it, was “eager to learn.”

“He’s always walking around with an iPad in his hand or he’s walking right next to coach and he’s trying to learn, he wants to learn,” Taylor told ESPN. “So, whenever you have someone who is talented but also hungry to learn, you have to be careful.” Because those are the ones you need to keep an eye out for.”

Shane Steichen, head coach, said he had “good meetings” with Richardson throughout the season and watched the 2023 No. 4 overall choice adjust his approach to making the most of learning through watching rather than learning through playing.

“Just talking with him individually going through different stuff – just football 101 stuff (like) coverages and fronts and going through what do we like versus this look and all that,” Steichen went on to say. “He was soaking it in, and he was obviously wired in all year doing his rehab.” “I’m excited for his future next year.”

The Colts’ confidence in Richardson’s behind-the-scenes efforts is bolstered by what he accomplished as a rookie. The Colts noticed not only Richardson’s natural talent, but also his calmness, football IQ, and feel for playing quarterback.

“I thought when he played, he was explosive and electric,” Steichen stated back in October. “Every time he steps on the field, he gives us a chance to win football games.” Just his big-play ability, his ability to throw the ball down the field – the runs he had, the four touchdown runs he had in the brief time he played. But he and this franchise have a lot of potential in the future.”

As the Colts shift their focus to building for 2024 with Richardson back in the picture, they’ll do so with confidence in the progress their 21-year-old quarterback made both before and after his season-ending injury.

“For a guy so young to go ride the roller coaster like he has highs and lows, to see how he just stuck with it – I feel really good about Anthony’s future, man,” Minshew told reporters. “He’s going to be fantastic.” I can see how competitive he was even while he was out by the way he prepared and perceives things. Like the game a couple nights ago, he was riled up and enraged. He was determined to win. Like, I believe they are all qualities that are going to serve him and this team very well.”