The Indianapolis Colts don't want Anthony Richardson to start this coming season. Daniel Jones was re-signed for two years and $88 million to try to lead the offense back to the level it displayed in the first half of last season. But a new ranking of backup quarterbacks might still stun fans as far as where Richardson landed.
According to Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano, Richardson is the 10th-best backup QB in the NFL. Of note, former Indy starter Joe Flacco is listed as the best backup quarterback in the league.
Manzano admits that Richardson has struggled for most of his career while adding, "Still, I can’t get over how dominant Richardson was in the first month of his rookie season in 2023. There were shades of Cam Newton and Josh Allen with his arm strength and massive 6'4", 244-pound frame. In a spot start or in relief, Richardson’s game could give teams plenty of fits—that’s if he’s available."
Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson gets ranked too highly among backup quarterbacks
Not to be too disrespectful of the SI writer, but basing a top-10 ranking on one month of play that Richardson had three seasons ago is a bit ridiculous. The quarterback had time to build on any positive play he might have had, but he didn't. Even when healthy, which hasn't been all that often, he's been ineffective.
A quarterback who has tossed 11 touchdown passes in his career while also throwing 13 interceptions should be ranked in the top 10 of anything, unless the list is about top-10 busts from recent NFL drafts. Plus, Richardson might not even be QB2 for the Colts this coming season.
With Daniel Jones limited in organized team activities so far, and ahead of minicamp, due to working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in Week 14 last season, Richardson has been getting some QB1 reps, but no one should rule out that Riley Leonard might chase that spot this summer, too.
For one, and as Manzano admits, Richardson could be traded before the season as he has requested to do so. A team that needs a backup quarterback with potential might take a chance on the quarterback.
Leonard, meanwhile, was solid against a great Houston Texans defense when Leonard was tasked with starting in Week 18 last season. The game was a meaningless one for Indianapolis, of course, but not for Leonard, who showed off good arm strength and great mobility.
He was also more accurate than Anthony Richardson has seemingly ever been. Even if AR5 sticks with the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard shouldn't dismiss Leonard as QB2 over Richardson.
Several reasons exist for that beyond what the coach, GM, and fans saw in Week 18 last season, but Riley Leonard also has three seasons left on his rookie deal. Richardson has one and is almost certainly entering his final year with Indianapolis. Leonard needs to get the chance Richardson has proven he can't take advantage of.
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