It is still unclear whether or not Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will be the team’s Week 1 starter. But made one heck of a pitch for that role on Friday after a video emerged on social media of a ridiculous touchdown pass from him.
Richardson is seen largely as an extremely talented, but raw athlete at the quarterback position. His college stats at Florida left a lot to be desired for some draft experts, but the Colts decided to use the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on him based largely on his impressive athleticism.
Thus far, he seems to be living up to the hype, as the Colts ultimately decided to give all of their first-team reps to Richardson in Friday’s practice.
He certainly seemed to make the most of that opportunity, as the Colts posted a video of an absurd 50+ yard touchdown pass from Richardson to Colts second-year wide receiver Alec Pierce despite some tight defense draped around Pierce.
Ladies & gentlemen, Anthony Richardson. pic.twitter.com/DgrkppBGY1
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 28, 2023
It’s pretty safe to say that there are few quarterbacks in the league that could drop that ball exactly where it needed to be on the move like Richardson did on this play. Fans certainly took notice, and are signing Richardson’s praises on social media.
Anthony Richardson with a 60-YARD BOMB 🚀
(via @Colts)pic.twitter.com/s2L0AznnGN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 28, 2023
ANTHONY RICHARDSON 🚀
(🎥 @Colts)
pic.twitter.com/hPQQa7jsOf— PFF (@PFF) July 28, 2023
The pass we have all been waiting for from Anthony Richardson pic.twitter.com/Gpeh88If7p
— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) July 28, 2023
Anthony Richardson has NEXT! 📈
🎥: @Colts pic.twitter.com/tWhyUjTYNm
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 28, 2023
Anthony Richardson has a CANNON! 😱
pic.twitter.com/XuTI6EhfIp— Personal Corner (@personalcorner) July 28, 2023
This type of arm talent is extremely rare to find, and fellow Colts rookie Josh Downs said that this type of throw is something that he has seen all off-season from Richardson.
“He flicks his wrist and it goes 60 yards,” said Downs about Richardson.
Josh Downs on Anthony Richardson: “He flicks his wrist and it goes 60 yards.”@wthrcom pic.twitter.com/M3VzXDDEe7
— Dominic Miranda (@DomMirandaTV) July 28, 2023
Richardson’s primary competition for the No. 1 quarterback job in Indianapolis seems to be veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has proven to be a competent quarterback when called upon. However, with throws like this coming from Richardson, it seems like only a matter of time until he is the starter in Indianapolis.
[Indianapolis Colts on Twitter]
