Anthony Richardson is officially the guy to beat for the backup quarterback job for the Colts, which is a wild twist for a player who was rolling as the starter just last year. Yeah, you heard that right. After the final preseason game, it looks like Richardson has solidified his spot as QB2, even if the team hasn’t dropped the official announcement yet. But who needs an announcement when the stats lay it all out? He didn’t just win the competition; he outplayed Riley Leonard plain and simple, making a strong statement after a tough year.
The Preseason Finale Showdown
When it all came down to the wire in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Richardson was the one who stepped up. He slung it for 7-of-10 completions, chalking up 80 yards. Maybe not jaw-dropping numbers on their own, but when you’re fighting for a roster spot, efficiency and confidence are everything, and he showed he could command the offense. He was out there with the starters, which tells you what the coaches were looking for. Richardson himself said he just wanted to “operate the offense and be confident,” adding that he aimed to “showcase that I could manage the game and be out there and let it rip.” And you know what? He pulled it off, “to a certain extent” as he put it, which is classic competitive player talk right there.
The Full Preseason Picture and the QB Battle
Now, let’s look at the full preseason tale of the tape. Richardson finished the entire three-game stretch an impressive 21-of-33 for 249 yards, throwing only one interception. That’s solid, especially when you’re trying to prove you belong. Compare that to Riley Leonard’s run: 20-of-42 for 199 yards and a pair of interceptions, with one coming in that crucial final game against the Lions where he went 3-of-7 for 48 yards. It’s tough to make a case when your rival is putting up better numbers across the board and cutting down on mistakes. The Colts didn’t even manage a single touchdown pass in *any* of their preseason matchups, which is a whole other conversation, but Richardson’s overall performance still puts him miles ahead in this specific backup battle.
This is a big moment for Richardson, the fourth overall pick from 2023. It’s not exactly the trajectory anyone drew up for him when he entered the league, but football is a game of twists and turns. He lost his starting role last year, but now he’s showing the grit to fight his way back into a meaningful spot. “I just want to do my best and put my best foot forward,” he stated, and you can tell he means it. It’s about more than just himself too, as he stressed, “I want everyone to win and everybody to reach their goals, dreams and aspirations that they’ve wanted since they were a little kid.” That’s the kind of attitude that can keep a career alive, and it looks like it’s paid off for him as he heads into the regular season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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