We’re not even a week into Indianapolis Colts training camp and just a few practices have taken place. However, that has not stopped the Anthony Richardson hype.
The rookie No. 4 pick from Florida is already getting first-team reps in practice over veteran Gardner Minshew, per insider Mike Chappell.
The third quarterback selected in April’s NFL Draft behind Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, Richardson was said to be having an up-and-down offseason program before the start of camp.
“I think the biggest factor in Richardson starting Week 1 will be improving his consistency during training camp and preseason. As I’ve previously written, Richardson would often make the best throw of rookie minicamp, OTAs and veteran minicamp, but his overall performance was turbulent. That will need to change in order for him to take the reins in the season opener.”
James Boyd of The Athletic on Anthony Richardson back in early July
More recently, owner Jim Irsay indicated that it made sense for Minshew to start over Richardson early during the regular season. But he’d leave that up to first-year head coach Shane Steichen.
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Anthony Richardson college stats: 3,105 passing yards, 1,116 rushing yards, 33 total TD, 15 INT
As you can see, Richardson doesn’t have a huge sample size coming from the Gators. In fact, he was only a full-time starter for one year in Gainesville. While supremely talented, it has led to questions about his ability to be ready from Day 1.
Of course, this could mean very little in the grand scheme of things. Giving a rookie quarterback first-team reps in training camp is completely different than having him start once the regular season gets going. We’re ways away from that possibility.
For now, Richardson seems to be showing enough to impress Indianapolis’ brass during the early stages of training camp.