The Indianapolis Colts gambled on the athletic profile of former Florida product Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Most consider him to be a project quarterback with loads of upside, but it seems like he is getting every opportunity to be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1.
According to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis, Richardson took all of the QB1 reps at practice on Friday, and certainly made an impression with his opportunity.
Day 2 of #Colts camp complete.
Anthony Richardson took all 15 starting reps. Reverse of day 1. Was 3-of-5. Uncorked some more down the field stuff in 7-on-7.
Gardner Minshew had 6 straight completions to end the day
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) July 28, 2023
Richardson’s best moment of the practice reportedly came during 7-on-7 drills, where he uncorked a 60-yard pass to wide receiver Alec Pierce for a touchdown.
Fellow Colts rookie Josh Downs certainly took notice of this ridiculous play and praised Richardson’s absurd arm talent.
“He flicks his wrist and the ball goes 60 yards,” said Downs via Colts team writer JJ Stankevitz.
Fans took notice of all the positive praise coming Richardson’s way after Friday’s practice, and believe that he will ultimately be the team’s Week 1 starter.
Colts first-year head coach Shane Steichen spoke about Richardson’s performance after the practice. While he didn’t reveal too much about his future plans for Richardson, he did praise the 21-year-old’s ability to improve and grow.
“I thought he did a really nice job today,” Steichen told Stankevitz. “The thing we were looking for — obviously he was stacking the days in spring and then you get that time off in the summertime, we didn’t want him to take a step back. And I don’t think he has done that at all. He’s continuing to improve and grow and we gotta keep doing that.”
Richardson’s main competition for the starting job appears to be veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has proven in the past to be a reliable option when called upon.