A lot has been said of Anthony Richardson since he entered the league in 2023. To say he's been a disappointing draft pick would be a massive understatement, though it also feels like the Indianapolis Colts simply quit on him.
Now, with him set to hit free agency at the end of the season, the same coaching staff that seemingly threw in the towel on him may have given up on the team. That's why, after all he's been through, the former No. 4 pick won't take a second for granted.
Richardson took the field for the first time this season in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He replaced the erratic Daniel Jones and shared an emotional revelation about the journey back to the gridiron after his orbital fracture.
The Indianapolis Colts have nothing to lose with Anthony Richardson
“Yeah, there were definitely times when I would go to the doctor, and they would tell me they don't know if I'm gonna get my vision back, or stuff like that,” Richardson revealed to WISH-TV. “I'm just grateful that I even just get a chance to go out there and throw a pass, regardless of if I step on the field or not. There was a day and a time where this wasn't promised for me, like I said I'm grateful for it and I'm thankful.”
There were rumblings and rumors about Richardson's work ethic and whatnot, but that sounds like a young man who's gone through a lot and will make the most of every opportunity he gets from now on. He's made mistakes, but the talent is there, and it's not like there's an alternative.
Richardson was extremely raw when he came into the league, and the Colts knew that. They knew he was probably the most hit-or-miss prospect in the class, and it would take a thorough development plan and plenty of time for them to bring out the best in him.
Even today, he has barely played since high school. He's admittedly been pretty bad and inaccurate, but he's still young and a bit of a blank canvas, and after everything he's been through as a player and — more importantly — as a person, he won't take a second or an opportunity for granted— at least, he shouldn't.
The jury was out on Daniel Jones this season, but everyone should know by now that he's not a franchise-caliber quarterback. His flaws outweigh his strengths, and with Shane Steichen most likely out, whoever they bring next might not be as high on him.
Richardson will be a free agent, but maybe he can still be saved. The Colts don't have a first-round pick, but they can still give him the remainder of the season to show what he's got and whether there's still something there. What's the worst that can happen?
The Colts won't make the playoffs this season, but they have no incentive to lose, either. Things aren't working with Jones, but there's still a tiny, microscopic chance that Richardson can live up to his polarizing scouting report with a coaching staff that actually believes in him.
This team doesn't even have to fully commit to him just yet, but why not at least give him one last chance? After all he's been through, he's clearly not the same inexperienced young man who entered the league as one of the most divisive prospects in NFL history.
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