The Indianapolis Colts have made their decision on a Week 1 starting quarterback. Of course, everyone knows it’s Daniel Jones, but I feel like I have to mention that because there were a couple people in recent fantasy football drafts that still thought it was Anthony Richardson. Seriously.
Richardson is the backup quarterback and everyone that knows anything about Jones would add “for now” to that phrase. Colts’ offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said at his press conference this week – in lukewarm fashion – that Richardson has been handling his new role well.
“I think all our character gets tested in adversity, right, which is kind of when you don’t get what you want or when you’re in a situation that maybe you didn’t pick,” Cooter said. “Anthony has been a great teammate throughout, and he’s been a great — he’s going about his business the right way here in the meeting room and getting ready for this season.
“Coach [Steichen] said it, if you’re the backup for any position, you’re one play away. You’ve got to prepare. You’ve got to be ready to go. Anthony’s been preparing well. Like I said, he’s been a great teammate, which is important in this situation. Any of these types of situations are tests for any of us — and he’s doing a nice job there, and looking forward to watching him grow and develop as we go.”
Anthony Richardson is still improving despite being the backup
How much is Richardson actually improving and how much that we hear about his development is pie-in-the-sky optimism coming from the organization? No one can blame them, of course they want him to be a star; many of their jobs depend on it.
“I think he’s continuing to learn the exact sort of right process for himself, and that might be different in the offseason than training camp, in training camp than the season,” said Cooter, who is one of the guys whose job probably depends on it. “I think Year 3, he’s got a better plan in place for what his game week looks like than maybe he did Year 1. Those are the types of things where anybody’s improving their process as they’re a player developing in this league. Shoot, we’re trying to do it as coaches.
“What’s our weekly process like? What do I do Tuesday when I walk out of this room with you guys that can make me a little better than what I did last year on this Tuesday? That’s what we’re all looking to do.”
Richardson has actually flashed his insane athletic talent at times over his first two years. But, the moments have been few and far between and Colts fans are probably developing he’s-getting-better-I-swear fatigue.
Cooter still can’t say Richardson is growing by leaps and bounds
Even when coaches praise Richardson’s progress, it still seems like it’s by inches and not miles. Cooter is awfully cautious in his praise of the former No. 4-overall pick.
“Anthony’s doing the same stuff. It might be watching a different tape at a different time. It might be doing some sort of recovery tactic at a different time or trying something new,” Cooter said. “All that stuff — whatever he’s up to, some of that I’ll let him share or not share as he wants to. But we’re all looking to improve. Sometimes it’s one percent, little small improvements — I see him looking to find those.”
Maybe it’s just me, but it sounds like Colts’ coaches are really struggling to make glowing endorsements of this guy. Something tells me there are going to be a lot of new sheriffs in town by 2026.
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