Are the Colts, Anthony Richardson headed for a breakup?

INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson arrived at Indianapolis Colts headquarters the day after the 2023 NFL draft buoyed by optimism and the boldness that comes with being the fourth choice.

The Colts had been saying, each in phrases and actions, that they believed he would grow to be their franchise quarterback. And when coach Shane Steichen named him their opening day starter after Richardson had performed only one quarter of preseason soccer, the Colts appeared to bolster that they had been dedicated to happening an unpredictable trip with their gifted however inexperienced 21-year-old draft choose.

Now, simply 2½ years later, these days really feel like historical historical past.

The Colts on Tuesday named Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter, bringing to a conclusion a decent place battle between Jones and Richardson — two former top-10 picks with combined histories.

The information opens the door for Jones, the previous New York Giants quarterback, to rejuvenate his profession on a crew with a stable roster. However for Richardson, it is a probably devastating blow to his future with the franchise and leaves a number of questions on the place he goes from right here.

Colts reporter Stephen Holder and nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler break it down:

Is that this the start of Richardson’s exit from Indy?

It is perhaps too early to say, however this actually makes an eventual cut up extra possible. Richardson ready for 2025 with the expectation that it was going to be the season that dictated his future with the crew. The choice to begin Jones left Richardson shocked, his agent mentioned Tuesday. Now, each potential end result is taken into account to be on the desk, in keeping with agent Deiric Jackson.

“We’ve got loads to debate,” Jackson mentioned.

If Richardson would not play this season — Steichen was adamant that the intention is for Jones to be the everlasting starter — meaning he’ll be three full seasons into his profession with just one season’s price of video games performed. This is not the primary time the Colts have turned to an possibility aside from Richardson; additionally they briefly benched him in favor of veteran Joe Flacco final season earlier than returning to Richardson two video games later. It is tough to check the Colts making any type of dedication to a participant after twice opting to play another person. — Holder

What would the market be if the Colts appeared to commerce Richardson?

It is tough for potential commerce suitors to evaluate as a result of that is so contemporary, and the Colts possible need to preserve him. However these consulted Tuesday evening agree he would have some market.

“It is arduous to say — the play and the accidents have been unhealthy sufficient that it is a arduous one, but when a crew had an actual want and since he has loads of crew management left [under contract until at least 2026], he ought to have one thing,” an AFC government mentioned.

One other NFL personnel administrator talked about Trey Lance as a possible comp from a situational standpoint — a shaky quarterback outlook after two years with the crew that drafted him within the prime 5. Lance netted a fourth-round choose for San Francisco in a commerce with Dallas. And Richardson has a better ceiling.

However this can be a supply-and-demand concern: The Saints are the lone crew with out a beginning quarterback, and they’re near naming one. — Fowler

How did Jones beat Richardson for the beginning spot?

Steichen emphasised the choice was primarily based extra on the nuances of taking part in the place, like “the operation on the line of scrimmage, the checks, the safety, the ball placement, the completion share.”

A few of these are areas the place one would possibly anticipate a seven-year veteran to be higher than a third-year participant who has performed solely sporadically. However in basing the choice extra on these facets and fewer on Richardson’s confirmed playmaking potential, Steichen is, in impact, betting on perceived consistency over Richardson’s ample potential.

However there is a actuality that have to be thought of with Richardson: Lots of the typical guidelines of assessing quarterbacks do not apply to him. His league-high air yards per try (11.4) and his speeding potential — Richardson was third amongst quarterbacks in speeding yards per recreation — give him larger effectivity marks than his 47.7% completion price final season would recommend. To that finish, think about: Richardson averaged 6.9 yards per try final season whereas Jones averaged 6.1 (regardless of Jones having considerably extra completions) and their QBRs had been practically similar. — Holder

Did the Colts’ new possession play a task on this?

Principal proprietor Carlie Irsay-Gordon has expressed religion in Richardson having a long-term future with the crew, saying in a latest interview, “The place he’s in his profession and in his [contract] … we nonetheless have time. He nonetheless has time to show it.”

Whereas she by no means weighed in publicly on the quarterback battle, she prompt throughout an in-game interview throughout Saturday’s preseason broadcast that she would defer to Steichen.

“Shane goes to have a troublesome choice to make, however I really feel assured he will make the proper choice,” she mentioned.

Irsay-Gordon’s father, the late Jim Irsay, as soon as mandated that former coach Frank Reich bench Matt Ryan in favor of Sam Ehlinger. However up to now, his daughters don’t appear liable to comparable strikes. — Holder

Why hasn’t Richardson been capable of persuade the Colts he is their future?

Accidents cannot be neglected as a part of the equation. Richardson has missed 17 of a potential 34 video games in his profession due to accidents. It was a acknowledged motivation for the Colts signing Jones within the first place, with basic supervisor Chris Ballard saying Richardson hadn’t proved he might keep wholesome.

That dovetails into the opposite points surrounding Richardson, which embody a scarcity of consistency. Richardson briefly gained some momentum final season when he led two game-winning drives in a span of three video games in late November and early December. However that momentum was stunted when Richardson missed Week 17 and 18 with again spasms.

The Colts even have requested for extra consistency from Richardson in preparation and in taking possession of the quarterback function, one thing Richardson mentioned he has responded to. Steichen confirmed as a lot, however mentioned he needs to see extra improvement in that space. –– Holder

What are the Colts’ choices at QB2 in the event that they transfer on from Richardson?

The Colts drafted former Notre Dame standout Riley Leonard within the sixth spherical. He figures to make the roster at ultimate cuts because the No. 3 quarterback, however he seems to be a great distance from getting consideration as a starter. Leonard has accomplished 19 of 36 passes for 156 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in two preseason video games, taking part in virtually solely in opposition to backups.

It is presumed the plan was to make use of 2025 as a developmental yr for Leonard. So, within the hypothetical situation of a Richardson commerce, it is potential the Colts will look elsewhere for a No. 2 quarterback. — Holder