The Anthony Richardson project will persist for a minimum of the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network states that the Colts consider Richardson to be the likely starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The Colts are highly impressed with the progress Richardson has made both on the field and off since he was sidelined before Indy’s Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“According to Rapoport, Indy brass has been satisfied with his reaction to being benched prior to Week 9, noting that his focus on details and preparation has notably improved since then.”
Richardson has played a crucial role in the Colts achieving a 3-2 record since he returned to the starting lineup. Whether on the field or in the air, Richardson has been making impactful plays and gaining the confidence of the Colts that he can be their future starting quarterback. Last week showcased Richardson excelling in critical moments, securing first downs with both his arm and legs to prevent a comeback by the Tennessee Titans.
“In the victory last week, during a critical moment, Richardson’s 10-yard throw to Michael Pittman on third-and-8 with two minutes remaining to effectively secure the win illustrated the team’s faith in him and Richardson’s capability,” Rapoport stated. “It represented an important advancement for everyone involved.”
Extending Richardson’s time as the Colts’ starting quarterback for another year was consistently the correct decision and the most sensible direction for the team in 2025. Richardson is just 22 years old and is still acquiring skills to play the position in the NFL. Although he has demonstrated significant moments of skill, Richardson still has a lot to work on, and his journey to success has always been expected to be a lengthy one.
This offseason is essential for Richardson’s growth and future in Indianapolis. Richardson can utilize the offseason to focus on his skills, improving his precision, and gaining a deeper comprehension of the game. The young quarterback was unable to make significant progress in those aspects last offseason while he was rehabilitating his surgically repaired AC joint and trying to return to the field for the Colts’ offseason training.
The Colts possess greater familiarity with Richardson and have a clearer insight into how to maximize their quarterback’s potential. Head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter have utilized Richardson primarily as a runner since he was benched, aiming to provide him with simple throws early in the game to help him find his rhythm.
For Richardson to thrive in 2025 and thereafter, he needs to align with Steichen and Cooter while having a definite understanding of the offensive strategy. An effective offseason focused on enhancing his mechanics and precision, alongside an improved strategy for utilizing Richardson, might enable the former No. 4 selection to establish himself as the Colts’ franchise quarterback in the future. Not doing so might lead to parting ways with Richardson in 2026 and starting a rebuild from the ground up.
Richardson will miss today’s game against the New York Giants due to back spasms that have restricted his movement and mobility throughout the week. Joe Flacco will take the starting role in place of Richardson, requiring a win to maintain the Colts’ playoff aspirations.