Indianapolis Colts training camp will be an opportunity for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to prove he can be the Week 1 starter. However, it appears the 2023 first-round pick faces an uphill battle to win the starting job.
The Colts intend to provide Richardson with opportunities in training camp to demonstrate why he should start in the season opener. Indianapolis will give him first-team reps with the starters and he’ll receive significant playing time during the preseason.
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However, it’s far from certain that Richardson will be the Colts’ starting quarterback in Week 1. Indianapolis signed Gardner Minshew with the thinking he could be a bridge quarterback and many NFL evaluators believed Richardson needs time to develop.
The Colts’ coaching staff and front office saw some of the reasons why during minicamp and OTAs this spring. Richardson is the most athletically-gifted quarterback in the NFL and he boasts the most arm strength in Indianapolis. However, the physical tools aren’t paired with consistency as was witnessed during practices this spring.
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In a mailbag for The Athletic, Colts’ reporter James Boyd wrote that Richardson had the best moments during minicamp practices, but he was also very inconsistent with turbulent play from day to day.
“I think the biggest factor in Richardson starting Week 1 will be improving his consistency during training camp and preseason. As I’ve previously written, Richardson would often make the best throw of rookie minicamp, OTAs and veteran minicamp, but his overall performance was turbulent. That will need to change in order for him to take the reins in the season opener.”
James Boyd on factors determining if Anthony Richardson starts Week 1 for Indianapolis Colts
Boyd wrote that he expects the first-team reps split between Minshew and Richardson to be fairly close early in training camp. However, he does think that will gradually change if Minshew is more consistent in August and Richardson’s performances remain turbulent.
While the Colts aren’t viewed as viable contenders this season, they still want to start the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win right now. More importantly, rushing Richardson onto the field when he isn’t ready might not accelerate his development.
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The highly-talented rookie will make multiple starts this season and he could claim the starting job in October if he doesn’t earn it in training camp. Based on his overall performance in June, though, it appears he’s no longer a strong bet to open the season as the Colts’ starting quarterback.