Anthony Richardson isn’t kicking off his third NFL season the way Colts fans imagined. Instead of a breakout run or redemption arc, he’s watching from the sideline with a clipboard while Daniel Jones gets the nod to start for the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson, once thought to be the answer for the Colts, now faces a huge crossroads early in his football journey.
Could Multiple Super Bowl-Winning Coaches Target Anthony Richardson?
Richardson, who went fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had trouble building any rhythm in the league so far. Still, his off-the-charts athleticism and flashes of playmaking show there’s more talent left to uncover, if he lands in the right spot with the support he needs.
Adding to the intrigue, former NFL scout John Middlekauff put Richardson’s name in the mix for Super Bowl-winning coaches on the “3 and Out” podcast. If the Colts can’t get all they can out of him, Middlekauff thinks big-time offensive minds will take notice.
“I think Richardson is in play for all the good, sweet offensive coaches,” Middlekauff said. “Sean Payton would not be interested because he’s got a young quarterback. But Andy Reid, obviously Sean McVay, the [Baltimore] Ravens with Lamar [Jackson].”
Middlekauff didn’t stop there: “Richardson is a backup now, so you don’t even need to worry about him,” he said. “You’re just on the side, grinding with you. He’s a value. I don’t see any of these teams giving up anything. The first two names that came to my mind were Reid and McVay.”
Coming into the 2023-24 campaign, the Colts brought in Shane Steichen as head coach and hoped that he and Richardson would anchor their rebuild. Steichen, who previously developed Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles, seemed like a great fit to tap into Richardson’s unique skill set.
However, things haven’t gone according to the Colts’ plan. Their attempt to build a roster tailored for Richardson has fallen apart, and now there are more doubts than certainties. Richardson has used his mobility to keep defenses guessing, but he just hasn’t found his groove as a passer.
In his first two NFL years, Richardson appeared in 15 games, racked up 2,391 passing yards, 11 touchdown throws, and 13 picks, and added 635 yards plus 10 scores on the ground. His completion rate sits at 50.6%, with a quarterback rating of 67.8, both among the league’s lowest marks over that stretch.
Middlekauff’s take lines up with what other scouts and coaches are saying. Even with the slow start in Indianapolis, plenty of folks still see Richardson as a possible game-changer down the line.
If Indianapolis lets him walk, Richardson could be one of the hottest projects for teams looking to revive a young quarterback’s career. He’s already been tossed around in trade talk with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but landing with someone like Andy Reid in Kansas City or Sean McVay in Los Angeles could give him the stability to finally hit his stride, and maybe flip the script on his NFL story.