Colts' Anthony Richardson Reveals Thoughts After First Day of Camp
The first day of training camp for NFL players can feel like the first day of school.
It is a new season with new hope and expectations for every player and team across the league. Players and coaches alike are ready to get back to work.
For rookies, it is the first training camp of their careers and a chance to prove they have what it takes to make it in this league. That is where Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson currently stands, and he is having a lot of fun already beginning his NFL journey.
“It was fun, electric," Richardson said after practice. "First practice with the fans so that’s always good. We get to showcase what we got as a team. First day back, it felt good just being out here with my teammates again.”
The Colts drafted Richardson with the No.4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The hope is he will eventually solve the ongoing quarterback carousel in Indy since Andrew Luck retired in 2019. With Richardson getting his first live-action today, fans flocked to Grand Park Sports Complex to check out the rookie quarterback.
But as fans get excited about seeing Richardson on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, measured and realistic expectations are needed. The 21-year-old Richardson is still very much a work in progress. With only having 13 starts in college at the University of Florida, the Colts want to make sure Richardson is ready to go before they throw him into the fire.
© Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
When it comes to being prepared physically, Richardson is ready, and then some. The 6'4", 244-pound quarterback is a monster on the field. His speed, power, and athleticism are hard to miss.
Where Richardson has spent most of his efforts this offseason is improving the mental side of his game. The game is much faster and more cerebral at the NFL level, and Richardson wants to be ready for the challenges defensive coordinators throw at him.
"I feel like it’s mental for everybody, but especially for me," Richardson revealed. "Just diving into the playbook day by day, just studying it every single day. I feel like we got most of the playbook installed already. But just repetition, going over it every day. Definitely 100 percent mental for me right now.”
The work Richardson is putting in to be ready and improve is definitely being noticed. Gardner Minshew, the quarterback Richardson is battling for the starting job, has observed a great desire to learn from the rookie. The two quarterbacks are expected to split the starting reps throughout training camp.
"I think the best thing he does is ask questions," Minshew said. "He’s always trying to learn, always trying to get better and always trying to understand. It’s been a lot of fun working with him and Sam (Ehlinger) and everybody in our room. Everybody is just trying to get better.”
Head coach Shane Steichen has also noticed Richardson's improvement on the mental side of the game. Steichen will be charged with not only deciding when Richardson is ready to start for the Colts but also designing an offense tailored to his strengths and putting him in the best position to succeed. So far, he likes what he sees.
“It's been great," Steichen remarked. "Obviously, you had that springtime and now we got another month. You take that work you did in the spring and you don't want to take a step back, you want to hit that ground running. So, doing work in the summertime, continuing to study – it looked good today going forward.”
Part of the reason Richardson has improved so much already with the mental side of the game is because of the work he puts in. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. commented that it can be hard to get Richardson's attention sometimes because he is always in his playbook. Richardson wants to ensure he is confident in the playbook so he does not let his teammates down.
“I guess just working my confidence in the playbook," Richardson answered when asked how he will gauge his progress. "I guess that’s the main thing. My teammates, I feel like the more they trust me, the more they respect me coming out here and just being a part of the team and helping them be better players, I feel like that’s going to help me in letting me know that I’m doing something better.”
© Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports
Richardson, Minshew, and about 95% of the Colts' offensive skill players met in Miami a few weeks ago for a three-day minicamp. The group held meetings, led by the quarterbacks, walk-thrus, and did routes against air as they worked to establish their timing and build chemistry with one another. They would work in the morning, followed by hanging out and having fun in the afternoon and evening to build camaraderie off the field.
"Going down there, getting the routine together with the receivers – that was good," Richardson explained. "It kind of helped us get on a faster pace, faster train to just prepare ourselves for the season. I definitely feel like that was needed.”
Not only did the minicamp help Richardson get to know his teammates better on and off the field, but it also helped him get used to leading this group of men. As a 21-year-old, it can be intimidating coming in and trying to be a leader. But just like the playbook and mental side of the game, Richardson is learning and working to improve.
“It’s just learning how to be a leader. Not necessarily just going out there and repping plays – gaining their trust, gaining their respect and being a leader. I feel like going down there, it definitely tested that for me. I’m just looking forward for more.”
Richardson was, as always, all smiles after his first training camp practice. The butterflies had come and gone, and he had put together a nice hour of work showing off his arm and athleticism. Steichen was happy, the fans were cheering, and he put on a solid showing for all in attendance.
While all eyes will continue to be on Richardson throughout training camp and the preseason, he likely won't even notice. His eyes will be glued to his playbook.
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