The Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. And even though he doesn’t have a ton of experience, even at the college level, it sounds like the team plans to get him on the field early in his career – even if he struggles.
During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Indianapolis Colts team owner Jim Irsay made it clear that the team plans to play Anthony Richardson early and often to allow him to improve with in-game reps.
“As you guys know, Peyton (Manning’s rookie) year we were 3-13, the first year,” Irsay said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, according to NFL.com. “That’s a guy who played a lot of college games and was really prepared as much as he could be for the league. So, for Anthony Richardson, it’s going to be tough. We know that. But he has to play to get better. I mean, there’s no question. Gardner (Minshew) could come out and play better early on, him just being a veteran, but we have to get Anthony on the field. And that’s (head coach) Shane (Steichen’s) call when he decides to do it.”
It’s a pretty bold statement from Irsay, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on social media as a result.
If you are drafting Anthony Richardson as your QB in fantasy football, who do you plan to start Week One? https://t.co/cfdutXuPED
— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) July 11, 2023
I've said it all pre-season. Minshew is the QB for AT LEAST the first half of the season. AR has the same type of accuracy issues we saw in Malik Willis last year and we all saw how that went/is going. Drafting Colts players as if Minshew is at the helm. https://t.co/vecqefoCmH
— The Goose Whispers (@goose_whispers) July 11, 2023
I’ve seen that this is a pro-Minshew quote and that this is a pro-Richardson quote.
I still lean towards Richardson playing week 1. I think him not playing from the start would be some serious mismanagement. Richardson *needs* reps and there are no expectations for this season. https://t.co/GfL5qo71Xp
— Wyatt 🥃 (@WyattB_FF) July 11, 2023
This is absolutely the right mindset, except that Richardson should be the starter from day 1. https://t.co/RCn1kouh13
— Tony Sommer (@Tony_Sommer) July 11, 2023
Yes Jim. The biggest project in the draft. Lets rush him out and ruin him.
Stay away from football Jim https://t.co/GgxgvAsRWc
— Jarin Vallinas (@jarin_vallinas) July 11, 2023
It will certainly be interesting to see how early Richardson gets on the field.
[NFL.com]
