Colts Among Most Improved Teams According to NFL.com
The Indianapolis Colts were relatively quiet leading up to the NFL Draft. They didn't make a splash free agent signing, and they held firm at No. 4 in the draft rather than giving up a haul to move higher.
They stayed patient and got arguably the most physically-gifted quarterback in the history of the draft in Anthony Richardson.
While Bill Barnwell of ESPN+ tended to rate the teams' offseasons by the strength of the roster itself by saying the Colts had one of the worst offseasons, NFL.com's Marc Sessler looked what each team started with.
With the new additions, Sessler thinks the Colts are among the 10-most improved teams in the NFL.
Unlike the last guy, new Colts coach Shane Steichen won’t be saddled with an eleventh-hour Matt Ryan under center. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is already splitting first-team snaps with Gardner Minshew at OTAs. I expect the freaky first-rounder to start the opener barring a setback. Third-rounder Josh Downs is a nice fit at wideout. The big question is whether the offensive line -- a shattered mess a year ago -- bounces back to help the attack sing. Richardson’s arrival, though, marks a new era for a team in search of inspiration ever since Andrew Luck hit CTRL+ALT+DEL on his NFL career. -- Marc Sessler, NFL.com
Sessler mentions Steichen almost in passing, but his ability to get the best out of his quarterbacks with a wide variation of skillsets is one of the reasons he got the job.
His ability to bring Richardson along will go a long way to determine how quickly these Colts can get back to competing for the playoffs.
If Richardson has early success this season, the answer to the playoff question could be sooner rather than later.
