31 July 2023 , 21:10
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NFL rookie and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has impressed team coaches with his athleticism, playbook knowledge, and a new physical transformation that's added 11 pounds to his bulky frame.
Richardson's current weight stands at 255 pounds, 11 pounds more than his weight during the NFL combine. At that time, he recorded a fast 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 244 pounds. During his combine workout, Richardson completed his last 45 passes and showcased his arm strength, throwing a ball over 70 yards away.
The launched deep ball showcased his accuracy, impressing coaches across the league, including Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Despite neither coach selecting Richardson at the draft, he still managed to get selected by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick.
Richardson handled the added weight efficiently, still impressing coaches with his speed and strength. While the Colts are happy with his body progression, they are even more impressed by Richardson's rapid absorption of their offensive system.
Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter previously worked with Peyton Manning on the Colts in 2009 and with the Broncos in 2013. He also worked with Matthew Stafford from 2014 to 2018 and helped to build game plans during Jalen Hurt's first season as a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Throughout the offseason practices, Richardson has demonstrated exceptional skills in receiving play calls and effectively communicating them in the huddle—a challenge that often troubles rookie quarterbacks.
Richardson's ability to quickly learn the playbook was a significant factor in the Colts' decision to draft him at a high position, even though he only had 13 college starts. Despite his limited collegiate experience, Richardson's natural talent for understanding the game shows great potential for his growth and development as an NFL quarterback.
Richardson (5) runs through a drill during the training campAfter graduating from college, some doubts about his accuracy in throwing the ball down the field were raised. Despite this, he emphasized the significance of his role in the team and acknowledged that he must go beyond the minimum requirements to succeed.
"My position, and the light that I'm in, I can't do the bare minimum," Richardson said of his preparation. "The team would not allow that. I would not allow that for myself. I know the GM [Chris Ballard], coach [Shane Steichen], and the owner [Jim Irsay] definitely don't want that from me."
After witnessing his approach to the offseason, the Colts veteran cornerback spoke about Richardson and was impressed with the young QB in the same fashion as team coaches.
"He wants it," Moore said. "And I think as a teammate if you see another teammate who wants it -- he wants to work hard, and he wants to be consistent, and he does it each day -- you give him all the respect."
Richardson and Gardner Minshew, a four-year veteran, are competing for the starting quarterback position, which gives Richardson extra motivation to prepare during the preseason. Both players have had opportunities to lead the first-team offense.