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Shane Steichen: Richardson, Taylor Tandem 'Huge' for Colts' Success
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen discussed the importance of having Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor healthy and together for 2024.
Shane Steichen is in a much different place than he was a year ago.
Last April, Steichen was still settling in as the new head coach for the Indianapolis Colts. He was adjusting to a new routine inside the Colts' complex. Most of the coaches and players were new to him as well.
This year is different for Steichen. His routine is set. Most of the coaches and players from the 2023 Colts have returned. While every year brings new challenges, he is much more prepared for what is ahead. And that makes Steichen excited.
"Definitely more prepared," Steichen revealed this week. "Been through it once, now going through it for a second time. Obviously, there are still things that will come up that will be new. Every year is a new year, but definitely more prepared this year for sure.”
One thing Steichen will not have to deal with this go-around is drama at the quarterback and running back positions. Anthony Richardson returns for Year 2 as the Colts' starting quarterback while Jonathan Taylor is back, and healthy, on a new contract extension.
Steichen and the Colts have dreamed about having Richardson and Taylor on the field together for the last year. Saying how they perform with each other will play a role in what the Colts achieve in 2024 may be an understatement.
"It’s huge," Steichen said candidly about having Richardson and Taylor together. "You guys have heard me, the excitement I’ve got about those two guys alone with the rest of our football team, but to get those guys reps in the offseason program and going into training camp and getting a feel for each other in the backfield is going to be critical to our success moving forward.”
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes against the Houston Texans.
Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
The hype around pairing Richardson with Taylor has been building since the Colts took the quarterback No.4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson tested as the most athletic quarterback prospect in league history at last year's NFL Scouting Combine. His combination of size, speed, and explosiveness had never been seen before at the position, not to mention a Howitzer for a right arm.
The expectation has always been that these two would hit it off, throwing opposing defensive coordinators into a conundrum. Should they focus on the former All-Pro in Taylor and potentially let Richardson, at 6-4 and 244 pounds with 4.43 speed, run wild? Or do they focus on stopping Richardson, potentially allowing the 2021 NFL rushing champ to take over the game?
But unfortunately, the pairing has yet to become a reality. Throughout the spring and summer months, as Richardson adjusted to life in the NFL, Taylor was nursing an ankle injury amid testy contract negotiations with the Colts. When Taylor was finally healthy and the contract dispute resolved, Richardson went down for the year with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, requiring surgery.
In all, Richardson and Taylor played two snaps together in 2023. The hype is still there around the pairing, but it will not be a roaring success overnight. The two will need to learn how to play with one another and establish chemistry on the field. That chemistry begins in offseason workouts this spring.
“I think the communication part is huge," Steichen explained. "Just them being in the backfield together, communicating that way, the ball-handling aspect of it is big. That’s part of their deal, right? They’re going to have a lot of ball-handling stuff that we’ve got to get wired up with those two guys in the backfield whether it’s handing the ball off, a zone-read play, whatever it may be.
"But going through that process – shoot, throwing to (Taylor) out of the backfield and all those different things. That part is going to be huge this offseason and training camp going into the season.”
While the pairing of Richardson and Taylor is significant for the Colts' success, so is the play of Richardson through the air. Richardson looked to be putting everything together as a passer before his injury last season. The flashes he showed early have made the organization believe Richardson can develop into their franchise quarterback.
Richardson has been clawing to get on the field, pushing his rehab as hard as possible. He began throwing again just over two months ago and has continually progressed. Barring any setbacks, Steichen is confident Richardson will be ready to go when practices begin this spring.
“He’s in a really good spot," Steichen admitted about Richardson. "Had really good discussions that I’ll obviously keep private, but he’s in a really good spot. His shoulder is feeling good. He should be good to go for practices like we talked about earlier. He will be out there throwing, but we’ll limit – we’ll obviously monitor it, make sure we’re smart with that but he’s in a really good place.”
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) celebrates with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) after a touchdown against the Houston Texans.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY
Although Richardson has progressed very well, the Colts know they cannot rush his return. The organization does not want a repeat of what happened with former franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. They have learned from their mistakes and are taking a cautious approach with Richardson.
That does not mean Richardson will not still try to push the boundaries of what the Colts are allowing him to do. It is part of his competitive nature to get back out there as quickly as possible. It is up to the team to make sure they reign him in and protect Richardson from himself.
"He’s a competitor. I think most guys that are competitors that want to be great are going to want to push themselves," Steichen noted. "But again, we’re just going to have to monitor it and then we’ll go from there.”
When Richardson does return this spring, the Colts will already have a leg up on where they were last season. Richardson is not a rookie anymore, and while he only played in four regular season games, the quarterback was around the team and digesting the offense all season long. Steichen has been impressed with how Richardson has retained the offense with such little playing time, which may be bad news for the rest of the league.
“Yeah, it’s big," Steichen reiterated about Richardson's mental progression. "It’s not new for him. He’s heard the terminology. Going through those meetings right now, going through it, quizzing and he’s all over it. We’ve got a good foundation going into this offseason and going into the season. So, it’s been good.”
As Steichen and the Colts begin their offseason program, things seem to have calmed down at West 56th Street from where they were a year ago. The head coach has a quiet confidence about him. The quarterback has a fire inside to get back on the field and play his best ball. The running back is motivated to return to his All-Pro form.
And if all three can build upon the 2023 season, 2024 is sure to be memorable.
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