Offensive player named Colts biggest X-factor for 2024

Heading into his second season, there are some high hopes for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Richardson was limited to just four games during his rookie campaign, but he was able to flash some serious potential in his limited run. Moving forward, how he plays will have an enormous impact on the Colts' success, or lack thereof. As a result, Richardson was recently named Indianapolis' biggest X-factor for 2024 by Pro Football Focus.

As a rookie, Richardson recorded 577 passing yards and three tossing touchdowns, along with 136 rushing yards and four more TDs on the ground. Here's what PFF had to say about Richardson as the X-factor for Indy:

"Richardson started right out of the gate for the Colts despite being considered an extremely raw prospect. He was lost for the season after Week 5 due to a shoulder injury after posting a 56.5 passing grade on just 107 snaps, and despite having been a prolific runner in college, he recorded only a 45.3 PFF rushing grade on 18 attempts. . . If Richardson can have a breakout year as both a passer and a runner, the Colts will have one of the most dynamic offenses in football."

Eager to prove himself

Though he got to show some of his stuff as a rookie, Richardson doesn't feel like he got to show anywhere near his full arsenal, and he's excited for the opportunity to do so in his second season.

"People didn't really get to see everything I could do on the field," Richardson said earlier this offseason. "So, it's kind of like a rookie season for me still. But now I've gained a lot more knowledge and understanding about football and the NFL. So, I'm a rookie at heart, but now I'm slowly turning into the leader that my team needs me to be. I'm ready for every opportunity that's in front of me."

All eyes will be on Richardson in 2024, because his performance will go a long way towards determining Indianapolis' overall performance as a team.