WESTFIELD, IN — Last year, the Colts were the worst combination in sports. Bad and boring.
This season, their record might not be great, but they shouldn’t lack for entertainment.
On Saturday night in the Grand Park Events Center, rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson showed why he’s worthy of starting Week 1 against the Jaguars.
Looking at the big picture, first-year coach Shane Steichen’s scheme is best with a mobile quarterback who can run RPOs while also sitting in structure and making every throw, as we saw last season in Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts. To that end, Steichen sees similarities between the two, highlighted by one obvious talent.
“The playmaking ability that both of them bring to the field,” Steichen told Sports Illustrated. “As a coach, you try to put these guys in a position to make plays with scheme and calls, but it doesn’t always work out. But if you have a guy like [Richardson] and a guy like Jalen who can create with their feet when stuff ain’t open and break down, and make big scramble plays, it adds a whole ‘nother dynamic to the offense.”
While camp has predictably been a rollercoaster for Richardson, the tools which made him the No. 4 overall pick are evident. And considering Indianapolis’s perceived weaknesses, his traits are what could make this a very interesting year for the Colts.
Michael Conroy/AP
Last season, Indianapolis allowed 60 sacks, less than only the Broncos. While veteran Gardner Minshew has some mobility, Richardson is a 244-pound beast who can evade pressure and not only avoid a sack, but make an impactful play. It was something he did multiple times on Saturday, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd.
Entrenched in a battle with Minshew, Richardson took his turn with the second team (he and Minshew have largely rotated reps throughout camp) to open the weekend. He dazzled in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, consistently firing darts at various arm angles to a bevy of receivers, with perhaps his best throw resulting in a touchdown in the right corner for second-year tight end Drew Ogletree.
In team work, Richardson only threw two incompletions, including one that appeared to be the result of an incorrect route.
While Steichen and his staff have to evaluate all aspects of the position battle, mentorship could help make the answer easier. While Minshew is far from a grizzled vet, he’s played in 32 games (24 starts) and knows the system, giving Richardson an invaluable resource. This is a scenario Minshew was told could materialize when he signed in March with the Colts on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
To that end, Minshew has been a sounding board for the rookie throughout OTAs and camp, a job he’s appreciated.
“I think one of the best things he does is ask questions,” Minshew told Sports Illustrated of Richardson. “He doesn’t try to pretend like he always knows. He’s truly seeking answers, wanting to get better, wanting to learn and I think you’re seeing that carrying over day to day. He’s not repeating mistakes. … It’s been a lot of fun getting to work with him.”
Ultimately, the Colts’ decision is as follows. 1) Roll with Minshew, who has played four NFL seasons including two in Steichen’s offense with the Eagles. In that world, the ceiling is low, but the floor is likely higher. Or, 2) Indianapolis can accept early mistakes from a quarterback in Richardson who has just 916 pass attempts between high school and college, but also benefit from the considerable upside.
Best thing I saw: Amari Rodgers showing off his speed
We’ll take a break from Richardson to look at one of his wideouts. Rodgers was working with the third team, and in 11-on-11, caught a quick screen pass from Sam Ehlinger at the line of scrimmage before going the distance down the left sideline.
For Rodgers, 23, the battle to make the 53-man roster is real. Indianapolis has an abundance of young receivers, and after falling out of favor with the Packers and Texans over his first two years in the league, this could be a last chance.
If Rodgers and his 4.49-speed is going to stick, he needs to continuously flash like that both in practice and the preseason games.
Michael Conroy/AP
Best thing I heard: Shaquille Leonard on his first 11-on-11 drills of camp
“It was amazing,” Leonard said. “Especially being away from contact for a long time, easing back in and now just taking the fear out of making contact. It felt amazing to get back out there.”
After missing only seven games in four seasons, Leonard was sidelined in 2022 for 14 games, making only 11 tackles. Without Leonard, the Colts’ defense sank from ninth to 25th in points allowed, while creating 12 fewer turnovers.
Working his way back from back surgery, Leonard is hoping to return for a full season, giving Indianapolis an excellent middle of its front seven with the three-time All-Pro middle linebacker playing behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.
If Leonard can recapture old glory, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s job gets much easier in a scheme that demands its front to create havoc without the benefit of blitzing pressure.
Rookie who impressed: RB Evan Hull
Going into the summer, it seemed Hull was going to be fighting for a job with Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss atop the depth chart. Then Taylor demanded a trade request amid being placed on the PUP list, while Moss broke his arm in the team’s first padded practice.
Enter Hull, who went from likely special teamer to potential starter.
Hull, a fifth-round pick out of Northwestern, was taking reps with the first team and showcased why he could be an intriguing talent. Listed at 5'10" and 209 pounds, Hull displayed a nice jump cut in Saturday’s team period and also caught an array of passes in individual drills.
At Northwestern, Hull caught 88 passes across his final two seasons, including four touchdowns. With a rookie quarterback potentially at the helm, Indianapolis’s backs could be key in the passing game as safety valves.
Lastly, if Hull can block—and he has the frame for it—there’s no reason he shouldn’t see significant snaps early.
Veteran who impressed: WR Alec Pierce
As a second-round rookie last year, Pierce entered the season with hype and showed why, catching 41 passes for 593 yards despite a carousel of nonsense at quarterback.
Although he didn’t make any highlight-reel grabs on Saturday, the route-running was crisp and the hands were soft. Nobody is asking Pierce to become the team’s top receiver—Michael Pittman has that role locked down—his ascension would be a welcome development for a team short on proven pass catchers.
Song of the day: “So Sophisticated” by Rick Ross and Meek Mill
The Colts were blasting mostly current music throughout the indoor session, giving the 750 fans on hand something to enjoy while watching the 90-minute practice.
