Colts owner Jim Irsay proposes early usage of QB Anthony Richardson: ‘He has to play to get better’

Indianapolis took a huge chance signing quarterback Anthony Richardson with the No.4 overall pick in April’s draft and Colts owner Jim Irsay believes that the newbie should take the fielder soon for it to pay dividends.

“As you guys know, Peyton (Manning’s rookie) year we were 3-13, the first year,” Irsay said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. “That’s a guy who played a lot of college games and was really prepared as much as he could be for the league. So, for Anthony Richardson, it’s going to be tough. We know that. But he has to play to get better. I mean, there’s no question. Gardner (Minshew) could come out and play better early on, him just being a veteran, but we have to get Anthony on the field. And that’s (head coach) Shane (Steichen’s) call when he decides to do it.”

Although Irsay did not make any announcements or demands on Richardson being a Week 1 starter, instead leaving that decision to this new head coach, he made his stance on his rookie being tested by the fires clear.

Richardson who has not signed his rookie contract yet, has 4.4 speed and a canon arm but lacks experienced. He was Florida’s full-time starter for only one season, his draft slot was hard to forecast until the Colts bought him.

He enters the League with 215 completions in 393 attempts during his collegiate career, which summed up to 3,105 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Richardson also had 1,116 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.

Manning, comparatively, was a four-year starter at Tennessee with 380 or higher pass attempts in every of his last three seasons. He struggled in his first year at the helm, tossing a league-leading 28 interceptions, but he and the Colts became a formidable force with double-digit victories in 11 of his next 12 seasons.

This is a future Jim Irsay hopes to witness behind his third first-round QB as an owner. 

With Irsay’s support to start Richardson on time, it seems the Florida product already has an edge on his competition entering training camp.

Anthony Richardson had 6,632 passing yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, he has displayed signs of staying power in 24 career starts. He would probably be Indiana’s best shot at competing in the early quarter of 2023, but there is a chance the Colts take the long-view approach at the end of a 4-12-1 season.

There will be growing discomfort when Richardson takes the lineup, especially since the offensive line permitted 60 sacks last season (second-highest in the NFL).

But his legs give him the best shot of a Colts QB to create something out of nothing in case the O-line becomes porous again, and he will have excellent safety nets to aid his learning curve thanks to All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and possession wide receiver Michael Pittman.

Plus, the earlier Richardson takes the pitch, the sooner he can start playing for his lofty ceiling in earnest.

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