Colts management does not think this season will be the one that makes or breaks Anthony Richardson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Richardson is heading into his third season in the NFL, and during his first two, he\u2019s had plenty of ups and downs, inconsistencies and injuries, playing 15 games out of a possible 34 games.<\/p>\n
Even with this tumultuous beginning of Richardson\u2019s career, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said his young signal-caller doesn\u2019t necessarily have to have a breakout season. <\/p>\n
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. AP<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes you got to have a little patience with a guy and let him grow through things.\u201d Ballard told reporters Tuesday. \u201cIf you think, \u2018Hey he\u2019s on the right trajectory,\u2019 why are you gonna flush him, just because people outside think you should flush him, I don\u2019t agree with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though Ballard has backed his quarterback, the Colts brought in former Giant Daniel Jones this offseason to provide competition for the starting spot. <\/p>\n
#Colts<\/a> GM Chris Ballard doesn\u2019t view 2025 as a make-or-break season for Anthony Richardson. I asked why not.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think people regret Baker Mayfield\u2019s timeline? Sam Darnold\u2019s \u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n I noted that both QBs switched teams.<\/p>\n Ballard: \u201cSometimes you gotta have a little patience \u2026\u201d pic.twitter.com\/dr2gIO5k5m<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n But the Indianapolis GM cited examples of teams giving up on their quarterbacks as a cautionary tale for what could happen if they punt on Richardson too quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think people regret Baker Mayfield\u2019s timeline? Sam Darnold\u2019s timeline?\u201d Ballard said.<\/p>\n In the case of the two quarterbacks Ballard mentioned, both flourished outside of the teams that drafted them.<\/p>\n Colts GM Chris Ballard talked about Anthony Richardson on Tuesday. AP<\/p>\n The Browns moved on from Mayfield after four up-and-down seasons, and he\u2019s now become a solid leader on the Buccaneers. <\/p>\n Darnold took multiple teams to find his mojo after getting drafted in 2018 by the Jets. Last year on the Vikings, his fourth NFL team, he led the team to the playoffs and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first time, and he is now the starting quarterback for the Seahawks.<\/p>\n Anthony Richardson last season against the Jets. Bill Kostroun\/New York Post<\/p>\n The comments come soon after owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said Richardson<\/a> still has time to become a franchise QB.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere he is in his career and in his deal as a rookie, we still have time,\u201d\u00a0Irsay-Gordon told Colts.com Monday<\/a>. <\/p>\n Daniel Jones with the Colts during minicamp. AP<\/p>\n \u201cHe still has time to prove it. \u2026 Bring a sense of urgency. And nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t