Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen always believed that quarterback Anthony Richardson would improve after being benched. He definitely looks like a better player over the past three weeks.
Richardson is running more often and with more strength. He is making quicker decisions and looks more confident in running the offense. His teammates now believe he could be the Colts’ next franchise quarterback after leading the team to two fourth-quarter comebacks in the last three weeks.
Richardson’s recent performance sets him up for a perfect bye week. After scoring a crucial 2-point conversion with 12 seconds left in a 25-24 win at New England, he said, “I don’t think I’ve changed much.
I’ve honestly just been myself throughout the whole process. I think I’ve been able to relax, stay calm a little bit more. Take it day by day. Try not to focus too much on the future and try not to focus too much on the past.”
Whatever has changed, it’s been working. Steichen made the decision to bench Richardson after he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in a 23-20 loss to Houston. Richardson also pulled himself from the game because he was tired.
Afterward, Steichen encouraged Richardson to focus more on details and spend more time at the team’s facility. Richardson, already humble, took the advice seriously, saying he needed to “sacrifice” more for the team.
Now, with the Colts sitting at 6-7, they hope Richardson’s recent progress shows that he’s taking Steichen’s advice to heart.
However, Richardson still has areas to improve. His completion percentage of 47.4% is the lowest of any starting NFL quarterback, and he has thrown nine interceptions, more than most starters. His seven touchdown passes are also the fewest of any quarterback with at least nine starts.
Still, the Colts are happy with what they’ve seen from Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick last year, who is now 13-13 as a starter since high school.
Steichen said, “It shows the resiliency that he has even through some of those situations,” adding that Richardson’s 19-play drive to win the game against New England was impressive. He praised Richardson for his confidence in running a quarterback keeper and pushing through defenders to score.
Richardson’s struggles aren’t entirely his fault. Colts receivers have dropped catchable passes, penalties have erased big plays, and Richardson has faced some bad luck, as all quarterbacks do.
Improving his touch or footwork could help, but the good news is Richardson is now taking the necessary steps to stay healthy and turn the potential Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard saw in him into actual results.
Steichen praised Richardson’s toughness and resilience, saying, “We’ve got to keep that thing going. We’ve got a four-game season coming up.”
The next big challenge will be whether Richardson can improve enough to help end Indy’s three-year playoff drought. The Colts will play Denver next week in a key game for the AFC playoff race. The Broncos, currently holding the seventh playoff spot, are ahead of Indy by one game.
After Denver, the Colts face three teams that are struggling: Tennessee, the New York Giants, and Jacksonville. The Giants and Jaguars are already out of playoff contention, and Jacksonville may not have star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
With a bye week to rest and prepare, the Colts are hoping to see an even better version of Richardson. He expects nothing less from himself, saying, “We know we’ve just got to focus on the moment, focus on the present and focus on each and every game. Right now, we’re trying to get healthy and just back it up (with more wins).”
