If Anthony Richardson wasn’t the talk of the 2023 NFL Draft leading up to it, he was close.
And a large portion of the discussion was where he’d go and who would take him and whether or not the incredibly raw, high-ceiling prospect would start behind center right away.
Well, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay — who selected Richardson at No. 4 overall — declared that his new signal caller will start this season, at least at some point, according to NFL.com columnist Judy Battista.
Irsay later said that it doesn’t mean Richardson will be the opening week starter, but at some point this season, the Colts plan for him to open a game.
The Athletic also indicates that Irsay says he probably would’ve taken Richardson if the Colts selected No. 1 overall.
“His development is so key to the franchise’s future,” Irsay said, per The Athletic. “He gets better by playing.”
At Florida, Richardson was a one-year starter who completed just 53.8 percent of his passes for 2,549, tossing 17 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
However, the listed 6-foot-4, 244-pound signal-caller also rushed for 654 yards on 103 carries and nine touchdowns.
Moreover, Richardson wowed at the NFL Draft Combine, becoming the most athletic quarterback to ever test, running a 4.43 40-year dash, hopping an over 40-inch vertical leap and a 129-inch broad jump.
The Colts currently have four quarterbacks listed on their roster: Gardner Minshew, who is first on the depth chart, along with Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger.
Minshew, a former starter with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in each of the last two seasons and signed with the Colts in March.
