“No one has a clue if he’ll end up being a star, a bust, or somewhere in between.” This statement by Bob McGinn captures the uncertainty surrounding Indy #5’s professional journey in his ‘Go Long’ article titled ‘The Great Anthony Richardson Debate’. It resonates because it perfectly reflects Richardson’s tumultuous time in Indy. From being the Colts’ hopeful future to sitting on the bench, his experience has been a rollercoaster—and we’re not even at the halfway point.
Recently, Peyton Manning shared his insight during the Colts’ loss to the Broncos: “Never take being the starting quarterback for granted.” This advice raises the question: Did Anthony Richardson take it to heart? Probably.
Did it prevent the Colts from losing 31-13? Not quite. However, a “so far this season” recap of Richardson’s performance reveals a journey that is unpredictable and filled with valuable lessons.
Bo Nix and Anthony Richardson are both trying to be the heir apparent to Peyton Manning.@AKinkhabwala asked Manning for his thoughts about the two young signal callers. pic.twitter.com/uBUGqxyiAc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 16, 2024
Buckle up for a ride through Anthony Richardson’s whirlwind journey! After recovering from shoulder surgery, he reclaimed the QB1 spot and hit the field ready to go. Things seemed good, but then came week 9—a benching in favor of Joe Flacco. Ouch. Richardson completed just 44.4% of his passes over six games. It was tough, but he later deemed it a “teaching moment.”
Spending some time on the sideline allowed for introspection, and by week 11, he was back under center, achieving 272 passing yards, one touchdown, and two rushing scores. A glimpse of hope, right? Nevertheless, developing an NFL quarterback isn’t a straight line. Richardson’s stats—1,683 yards, 7 touchdowns, 11 picks, and a 60.1 passer rating—might make you cringe. This isn’t even his rookie season, but starting for the first time brings its own intense pressure.
Take Peyton Manning’s rookie year: despite not missing a single snap, he threw a record 28 interceptions. Are these growing pains just part of the process? Absolutely. Manning highlighted the significance of “getting the snaps in.” Experience is crucial for quarterbacks. His rookie season ended with a 3-13 record, marking a tough learning curve for him—and we know how that story ended!
Now, let’s shift focus to Shane Steichen’s play-calling around Richardson. The leadership in handling AR has shown that he can be developed into a valuable asset. Remember the Colts benching Richardson? That decision paved the way for him to refocus on the demands of being a starter, earning Manning’s admiration. Why? Because it took guts. When CBS’ Aditi asked Steichen if that choice was difficult, he straightforwardly replied, “ONE thousand percent! It was honestly one of the hardest decisions I had to take as a head coach.”
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