The Indianapolis Colts have a vision of what quarterback Anthony Richardson could be like in the NFL.
Entering his second season after missing the majority of his rookie campaign with a shoulder injury that required surgery, this will likely be a volatile season for the 22-year-old.
However, Richardson’s highs could rank him among the league’s top signal-caller and if he can become a more complete quarterback, the Colts will have a real asset.
NFL head coaches, coordinators and executives rank in survey Quarterbacks line up for The AthleticOne coach had a pretty compelling quote about what the league thinks of Richardson.
“Everybody is scared to death of him in the NFL,” the unnamed head coach told The Athletic.
Richardson was ranked as a Tier 4 quarterback in the NFL, which was defined as a quarterback who “could be an unproven player (not enough information for voters to rank him) or a veteran who ideally should not start all 17 games.”
It’s a fair ranking considering Richardson’s incomplete rookie season due to his shoulder injury.
Another offensive coach had a specific comparison for Richardson’s game — one that has been made repeatedly since he was drafted No. 4 overall in 2023.
“He’s the closest thing to Cam Newton since Cam, being such a big guy who can run the ball and rip it,” the offensive coach said.
Richardson and the Colts will face plenty of challenges in their second season, as evidenced by the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But the potential he brings as he continues to develop his game is unmatched. The combination of his running ability and big arm is the perfect complement to Shane Steichen’s offense.
There will be plenty of ups and downs throughout the season, but NFL coaches recognize the potential he brings on a play-to-play basis.
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