The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Anthony Richardson might be stuck together. The QB requested a trade this offseason, hoping to find a new team so he has a path to play, but as Indy assistant general manager Ed Dobbs recently put it, "Nothing materialized."
This is likely more damning to Richardson than anything Indianapolis has done. NFL teams get scared by a player who is too easily injured, which Richardson, unfortunately, has been. He's also been terrifically inefficient when given a chance to play.
Dobbs said in a press conference, "I think you’re just upfront and say, ‘Hey, we tried. Nothing materialized. But you’re a professional. You have a job to do. And that’s why you’re here. You’re here to compete.'"
Indianapolis Colts assistant general manager Ed Dobbs brings the truth about Anthony Richardson
Of course, this is the same professional who tabbed out of a game once after having to make a long run. The play was astonishing because quarterbacks, unless they are hurt, don't ask out of the game. It showed an extreme lack of maturity for Richardson and a lack of awareness of how he needed to lead his team.
Some of that might not be all of the quarterback's fault. He left the University of Florida too soon, was drafted when he was only 20 years old, and needed more polish before being asked to start in the NFL. A solid franchise would have known this and at least let Richardson sit for a bit of time to adjust to the pros.
Indy didn't. The Colts asked Richardson to start right away, and he completely failed. Most people would. General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen thought Richardson needed to learn by playing, but that was an iffy theory even before the quarterback's poor play and various injuries.
Now, according to Ed Dobbs, the team is expecting Anthony Richardson to "compete" for a backup job. The question is whether he will be QB2 or QB3. Riley Leonard is who he is battling because Daniel Jones is the clear starter.
The rub is that Jones might not be fully healed from tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 of last season. He could miss a few games, and Richardson or Leonard would need to start. Wins and losses in those games could make or break the Indianapolis Colts' season.
If Indy doesn't reach the playoffs yet again this coming season, Richardson might not be the only person who is leaving the team. Ballard and Steichen could too. Maybe by the way they handled Richardson as a rookie, they should already be gone.
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