Anthony Richardson was on the ropes, man. We’re talking about a guy who was nearly third string, lost his starting job to Daniel Jones, took a nasty eye injury, and even flat-out asked for a trade just a few months back. His future with the Colts looked cooked, but get this: his preseason performance totally flipped that script, giving Indianapolis a massive reason to rethink everything.
From Starter to Sidelines and Beyond
Seriously, think about that pressure. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, went through a brutal stretch. He wasn’t just losing reps, he *lost* the starting job to Daniel Jones. Then, boom, a significant eye injury sidelines him. The whispers got louder, then full-blown shouts, when he reportedly requested a trade! There were real questions, like, could this dude actually fall to third on the quarterback depth chart? It was a wild ride of uncertainty for a guy with so much talent.
This Preseason Showed a Whole New Player
But you gotta give Richardson credit, because he responded when it mattered. He came out against the New England Patriots looking totally different. His footwork? Cleaner. Throwing mechanics? Way more consistent. And the big one: his accuracy? Massively improved. He wasn’t just relying on that insane athleticism that made him a top draft pick anymore. He looked comfortable, operating from the pocket, working through the offense like a seasoned vet. Even when Riley Leonard started the second game, pushing Richardson to the third-team offense with all the reserves, he still showed up.
Then came the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. Richardson got one possession with some starters before finishing with backups, and he delivered! He completed 7 of 10 passes for 80 yards, flashing that same command he’d shown earlier. His only real slip-up was a miscommunication on a fade route with veteran receiver Laquon Treadwell. Otherwise, the ball was accurate, and he was totally in control. That’s big time.
Indy’s Got a Tough Call, But What a Backup!
This turnaround is huge for Indianapolis. Richardson is still only 24 years old, and that combo of size, arm strength, and rushing ability is just flat-out rare in the league. Staying with the Colts means he keeps developing in an offensive system that actually plays to his strengths, instead of starting over from scratch somewhere else. Look, Daniel Jones might still be the starter heading into the season. But we all know Jones has an injury history, right? Indianapolis *will* eventually need its backup. If Richardson’s number gets called, this preseason showed he could be way more prepared than anyone thought. After all that offseason drama, Richardson quietly positioned himself for another shot with the Colts. What a wild turn.
We’ll be watching to see how this shakes out as the season kicks off. Will Richardson get that chance? The stage is set, and it’s gonna be interesting to see if he can carry this momentum into the regular season when it truly counts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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