The Indianapolis Colts report to training camp next week, which means a new identity is taking shape for a team that must reform its foundations. During this seismic shift, rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is getting more comfortable with NFL life.
It’s often said the first offseason of a rookie’s career isn’t truly an offseason. The adjustment period to the fast-paced life in the NFL along with the fact that rookies join the offseason workouts halfway through the program play massive roles in that.
Veteran Gardner Minshew told the media during minicamp how much he’s seen Richardson grow over that short period of time.
“It’s funny, man; I remember coming off the first day; he was like, ‘Man, that’s fast.’ You’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s only going to get slower, though,'” Minshew said of Richardson in June. “It’s been cool to see him – he studies hard, he picks it up, he wants to learn. So, he’s been doing a great job there. He has been improving steadily, and I think he will continue to.”
Richardson is spending his days until camp developing chemistry with the wide receivers, camaraderie with Mineshew, and being in the building (when permitted) to continue mastering his craft. He’s coming out of his shell, showing off that boyishly charming personality that so many fans have come to love, and connecting on deeper levels with those around him.
“The main thing when it comes to that is finding a routine, finding my place in the building, finding what I need to work on, getting advice from the vets, and just understanding what they want from me,” Richardson said at minicamp.
He is learning to give himself grace as he settles in as a rookie. He explains that he has to trust his processes and that everything he needs to do will come with settling in.
The best part of Richardson finding his feet is that this is what the team needs of him. The learning curve for new NFL players, especially quarterbacks, is steep and sometimes unforgiving. The sooner he finds his feet, the sooner his ascension into what the team hopes we will be can start.
Richardson said he’s ready for the ride and quips, “It’s been everything I dreamed of.”
The dream continues on Wednesday, July 26, at Grand Park in Westfield when his first training camp begins.
