All eyes are on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson as he prepares to take on Daniel Jones in a battle for the QB1 position. Colts players have begun returning to Indianapolis for offseason training, and after spending the past several months working out in Florida, Richardson returned ready to fight for his job.
In his latest press conference, he cleared up some rumors, addressed the situation with Jones, and made it clear that he's ready for 2025, and whatever the new year may bring.
On Daniel Jones
From the beginning, Richardson has seemed unintimidated by the idea of competing for QB1, and his most recent comments reiterated that he seems to bear no ill will towards Jones in the meantime.
"We’ve had a couple conversations so far," he said. "He’s been in the league for a good lil’ minute, had ups and downs throughout his career, so I’m looking to learn as much as I can from him while we just push this competition, and just get better."
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on QB Daniel Jones:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 22, 2025
“We’ve had a couple conversations so far … He’s been in the league for a good lil’ minute, had ups and downs throughout his career, so I’m looking to learn as much as I can from him while we just push this competition …” pic.twitter.com/rdjkWyt731
On his back injury
Late last season, Richardson had to sit out the last several games due to an injured back. Initially, head coach Shane Steichen shrugged it off as mere soreness, which caused another controversy concerning Steichen and Richardson; it turned out, Richardson was suffering back spasms so severe that he wasn't even able to walk. He later explained that it was caused by a spinal disc issue he's had since middle school.
This caused further concern, as many have claimed Richardson has a problem remaining healthy enough to play through an entire season. In the press conference, he said his back is not an ongoing issue, and that there is a plan in place to keep him - and his back - healthy.
Anthony Richardson says he's focused on his maintenance plan for his back. "It's preventative, it's not like it's lingering."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) April 22, 2025
On his offseason training
One of Richardson's biggest problems has been his consistency; he has had flashes of brilliance, but he has struggled to remain accurate. That has been what he has focused on this offseason, working out before official team practices begin, including with the biometric specialist responsible for turning Josh Allen's career around.
It was rumored earlier in the year that Richardson would be working out with Allen himself, too, but in the press conference, he said that did not happen. The report that the two would work out together came from NFL insiders and not Richardson himself, so that rumor ended up being false.
However, Richardson said he is confident in the progress he has made so far.
"I'm still working through things, trying to be consistent," he said. "When it comes to like, footwork stuff and not panicking in the pocket and just being comfortable and just letting my arm work.”
On his mindset today
While many might be bitter about the rapid change in fortunes, Richardson seems to have taken it all in stride, saying that he is blessed to be in the league, even when it means competing for his job.
"It's different, everybody can look at the situation differently," he said. "I would like to say I'm blessed, honestly, I still have an opportunity in the NFL. Still have an opportunity to go out there and compete and win a job for the team. So I'm just blessed, I'm excited to continue to work. And it kind of feels like I just got drafted again. I'm just excited to still be here - like I said, I'm blessed, honestly."