Pat McAfee doesn’t shy away from bold opinions, and his latest one about the Colts might be his strongest yet. The former Colts punter had high praise for third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
“Anthony Richardson looks like he’s about to take over the entire AFC.”
That’s not something you hear every day. The AFC is full of star quarterbacks, guys like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Saying someone might “take over” that group is a big deal.
So is there any truth to his statement? Or is this just a case of McAfee hyping up his old team? Let’s break it down.
A Rough Start (But Not Without Promise)
GettyMcAfee’s Boldest Colts Take Yet Might Not Be as Wild as It Sounds
For years, Indianapolis has struggled to find the right quarterback. Ever since Andrew Luck retired, they’ve gone through veterans like Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan, but none of them worked out long-term.
Richardson is different. He’s younger, faster, stronger, and he’s already shown flashes of greatness right away, scoring touchdowns in each of his first three games and setting an NFL record for rookie QBs with rushing touchdowns in his first three starts. But his rookie season ended after just four games due to a serious shoulder injury. And his sophomore season didn’t go much better.
Richardson’s numbers aren’t perfect. Across two seasons, he’s started 15 games with an 8-7 record. He’s thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with a brutal 50.6% career completion rate.
But he’s also rushed for 10 touchdowns and over 600 yards, making him one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks in the league. That dual-threat ability has helped him lead late-game drives and escape pressure even when the offense around him hasn’t been perfect.
McAfee Believes (And So Might the Locker Room)
GettyAll Signs Point to a Leap in Year 3
McAfee may be biased, he played for the Colts, after all, but he also has a strong sense for when a player is “about to pop.” And based on what Richardson has shown late in games and late in the season, it’s easy to see why he believes the 23-year-old is ready to lead.
There’s also buzz building inside the building. Coaches and teammates have praised Richardson’s maturity and leadership heading into 2025, even after he missed mandatory minicamp due to shoulder soreness.
Even with the Colts bringing in Daniel Jones, it’s clear that everyone’s faith is in Richardson. “I think we need to give Anthony every chance to be the best he can be,” said GM Chris Ballard.
If Richardson can stay healthy (and that’s a big if), he might actually live up to McAfee’s bold claim. The Colts have talent around him, adding weapons like Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Adonai Mitchell, while continuing to lean on Jonathan Taylor’s power running game. And with Shane Steichen, a coach known for developing young QBs and crafting creative offenses, Richardson is in the right place to take that next big step.
It won’t be easy. The AFC is loaded with elite quarterbacks and playoff-ready teams. But if McAfee’s right, and Richardson really is about to take over, the Colts may be one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2025. The countdown is on. And all eyes will be on No. 5.
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