The Indianapolis Colts are in the midst of an odd time. For one, starting quarterback Daniel Jones can't take part in voluntary drills because he is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 14 last season. For two, Anthony Richardson is at camp, though he wants to be traded.
The team is currently in Phase 2 of voluntary workouts. That means on-field drills. Richardson skipped Phase 1, which was simply going through meetings. Maybe he didn't feel the need to participate in those. More on that in a second.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is certainly focused on trying to help Richardson improve. According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Cooter said to the media this week, "Anthony showed up here ready to work this week and, shoot, we’re gonna get some good work out of him," Cooter said, "and try to get him better and get him opportunities to go work his drills and get some throws."
Jim Bob Cooter has thoughts on Anthony Richardson coming to Indianapolis Colts camp
That is, well...underwhelming. In other words, Richardson somewhat surprisingly came to voluntary workouts, and the team's plan for him is to do the same thing it would have done had he never requested a trade. The hope, obviously, is that every player gets better through more work.
Plus, Richardson was presumably going to throw the ball anyway. After all, he is a quarterback, and that is what he does. The real news would have been Cooter to say, "We aren't going to have him throw the ball."
Of course, the offensive coordinator isn't truly the guy to answer with in-depth details. He doesn't call the offensive plays; head coach Shane Steichen does that. Cooter is more of a mouthpiece for what Indianapolis wants to say. The chances of him saying something noteworthy are nil.
Still, it is telling that the Colts coaching staff is seemingly handling the Anthony Richardson situation as if they already know the future. That's a good thing. While many are speculating about where Richardson could go after he requested a trade this offseason, the reality is that he likely isn't going anywhere other than to QB3 for the Indianapolis Colts.
The hope is that Richardson stays healthy and focused, and should he be pressed into action, he does well. He will be a free agent next offseason after Indy didn't pick up his fifth-year option for 2027, so for the individual, Richardson having any success is going to help him next year.
Any success Richardson has would also probably help the Colts overall, of course. At least he's prepping for next season by throwing a few passes. What would have also helped is if he had shown up in Phase 1 of the offseason because he would have had a discourse improving his most glaring weakness: The decision-making it takes to be a good NFL quarterback.
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