Colts' Anthony Richardson Expecting 'Big Year' with Top Playmakers
Coming into the 2023 NFL season, fans of the Indianapolis Colts were excited to see the beginning of a new Big 3 era in Indy.
In the early 2000s, Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, and Marvin Harrison formed Indy's first Big 3. The three future Hall of Famers ushered in one of the most dangerous offenses the league had ever seen, leading to one of the winningest decades in NFL history.
The Colts hope to recapture some of that magic with a new Big 3. Indy drafted rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to pair with former All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and ascending star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The hope is these three offensive stars can help catapult the Colts back amongst the league's elite.
But the 2023 season saw some hiccups to begin that journey. Richardson was lost for the season after injuring his right shoulder in Week 5. Taylor missed the first four weeks of the season due to an injured ankle and contract dispute. Altogether, the new Big 3 were on the field together for just one snap the entire season.
Richardson hopes to change that in 2024.
"I'm excited, excited to get back with the guys, excited to grind hard, excited to get ready for next season," Richardson stated last week in his season-ending presser. "I know what we're capable of, I know what we can do, and I'm just ready to showcase that to the world."
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
© Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
There was considerable hype around the pairing of Richardson and Taylor. Taylor has been among the upper echelon of running backs since he burst onto the scene in 2020. The thought of having a dynamic runner in Richardson in the backfield with him was enticing as it would force defenses to choose who they would have to defend.
Richardson was a big fan of Taylor's before they became teammates. That has not changed since the rookie joined the Colts.
“Just watching (Taylor) do what he does, it’s amazing," Richardson said with a smile. "I watch his highlights when I get home. Just watching him this last game (against the Houston Texans), it was amazing because I can only imagine myself in the offense with him opening up some things for him with my legs as well. Only time will tell. I’m excited to get on my grind. This is going to be a big year for all of us. I’m definitely excited to start grinding and get back on the field so we can get those touches together.”
But unfortunately, Richardson's injury happened just as Taylor returned, robbing the public of seeing the dynamic duo. Richardson rushed for 136 yards (5.4 avg.) and four touchdowns in just four games. Taylor ran for 741 yards (4.4 avg.) and seven touchdowns in ten games. Expect those numbers to be much better next season.
"It's going to be a really awesome sight to see," Taylor admitted. "I'm excited to get more work with AR. Just from watching the tape and in person what I saw, he's very very talented. But he's also eager to learn. I'm sure you guys have heard, he's always walking around with an iPad in his hand or he's walking right next to Coach (Shane Steichen) and he's trying to learn, he wants to learn. So, anytime you've got someone talented like that but also with that hunger to learn, guys got to watch out because those are the ones. Those are the ones you've got to watch out for."
But it is not just Taylor that Richardson is excited to play with. Pittman was able to experience playing with the rookie quarterback in all four of Richardson's games. They had an obvious connection from the beginning, as Pittman was the recipient of Richardson's first passing touchdown in the NFL.
“He’s a dog," Richardson explained about Pittman. "Getting the ball in his hands you see what he can do. He’s a physical receiver. He can catch, he can block, he can do it all. He’s smart. I appreciate him. He’s also a leader. He pushed me to be better every single day even when I wasn’t out there playing. Being in the rehab on time and just making sure I was working.
"He’s a dog for sure. Just getting the ball in his hands it definitely takes a load off of me just letting our weapons get the ball and do what they do. I’m definitely appreciative of him.”
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) catches the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tennessee Titans.
© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pittman is coming off a career year. The wide receiver hauled in 109 catches for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. Pittman became the fourth player in Colts' history to have over 100 catches in a season, joining Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark.
Pittman put up those numbers with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing him the ball for most of the season, making the feat even more impressive. Those numbers would have likely been even better with Richardson throwing him the football. While the two did not spend as much time together on the field as they had hoped, Pittman has been impressed with the young quarterback.
"AR has been around even though he's been hurt," Pittman remarked. "He's been in meetings, he's been rehabbing, working hard, and pretty much just showing me his level of commitment. ... He's just ready to play and he's working hard. I would expect his best ball coming soon, soon as in next year."
Although Pittman thinks Richardson's best ball is right around the corner, will he be in Indy to experience it? Pittman is set to be a free agent this spring and wants to explore his options. The Colts have made it known bringing back Pittman is a high priority, and Richardson wants his WR1 back as well.
“Oh yeah, of course – all of our weapons," Richardson responded when asked if he wanted Pittman back. "I would love to see the whole team back if it was possible, but I know this business is different. God willing we can get him back and we can be on the road to get a Super Bowl.”
And that is the ultimate goal. The Big 3 of Manning, James, and Harrison could not deliver a Super Bowl to Indianapolis when all were together as Colts. But Richardson, Taylor, and Pittman are ready to write their own history as the Colts' Big 3, one they hope includes multiple championships.
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