Colts Shift Focus from Patience to Competition in Anthony Richardson's Development

The Indianapolis Colts were well aware of the challenges they were facing when they selected Anthony Richardson, one of the least experienced quarterbacks ever picked in the first round of the NFL draft. With only 13 games started at Florida, the development of Richardson was always expected to take time, and the team was upfront about that reality.

"Let's not crown him yet," said general manager Chris Ballard on the day Richardson was drafted in 2023. "He's a young player, and there's work to be done, but we like his talent. We like what he can become. We drafted him with a vision for his future."

Fast forward 24 months and 17 starts, and the Colts' perspective on Richardson has shifted. Speaking at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, this week, Ballard discussed how the team’s approach to Richardson has evolved after two seasons filled with inconsistency and injuries, during which he missed 17 games and completed only 50.6% of his passes.

Patience is no longer the focus. The Colts have signed veteran free agent Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract to compete with Richardson, signaling a shift in strategy. Richardson will now face competition in training camp for the starting quarterback position, with both players battling for the job.

"We’ve got to get the consistency," Ballard said of Richardson. "I think sometimes competition is a good thing. Over time, it’s been proven that the best way to get better is by pushing yourself every day for high performance. You do that by having good players around you at your position."

In addition to the increased competition, the Colts' focus on developing Richardson has changed as well. With Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen under pressure to win, especially after four straight seasons without a playoff appearance, the priority has shifted to winning now—by any means necessary.

The prospect of Jones, the more conservative quarterback, winning the competition may bring more stability in the short term, but it could mean fewer explosive plays compared to Richardson’s boom-or-bust style. However, there’s a long-term consequence to this. If Jones becomes the starter, the Colts would once again face the uncertainty of not having a long-term solution at quarterback, potentially continuing their ongoing search for stability at the position. Richardson was the first Colts quarterback since Andrew Luck to start consecutive season openers (2023-24).

"I think the best scenario is that we win football games," Ballard said. "That's the best scenario—no matter who the starting quarterback is. You figure the rest out as you go along. Would it be nice to know we have an established starter for the next 10 years? Damn right."

Despite the growing competition and urgency, the Colts still see the potential in Richardson. Ballard praised his performance after a midseason benching, particularly highlighting key moments like a win over the New York Jets and a game-sealing throw against the Tennessee Titans.

"Anthony's shown some signs," said Steichen. "Some really good things."

Ballard pointed to Richardson’s confidence during those moments as an important factor in his success, while also acknowledging that Richardson’s technique remains inconsistent, a common issue for young quarterbacks. He drew a parallel to Andrew Luck, noting that Luck worked on his technique during his final season, ultimately achieving a career-high completion percentage.

With confidence and technique developing over time, Richardson will have fewer chances to refine these skills this offseason. Steichen announced that Richardson and Jones will split starter practice reps during the spring workouts, meaning Richardson will have fewer opportunities to work as the primary quarterback.

"He's going to have to take advantage of the reps that he gets," Steichen said.

The Colts have gone from advocating for patience with Richardson to accelerating his development, and how this all unfolds will likely determine the course of his career moving forward.