ESPN put together its ranking of all 32 quarterback units ahead of the 2024 NFL season. So, where does the Colts’ quarterback position fall on this list?
Back under center this season for the Colts will be Anthony Richardson. As expected last season for a first-time starting quarterback, Richardson dealt with ups and downs, but over the small sample size that we saw him play, you could see progress being made and the big play ability that he brings, both on the ground and through the air.
With only 98 career dropbacks, Richardson is still an inexperienced player, which means there will still be growing pains this season, to what degree remains to be seen. However, even with limited on-field reps, Richardson has a full year in Shane Steichen’s offense under his belt, and that comfortability will play an important role in his development.
“I’m more comfortable with the offense now that I have a year under my belt,” Richardson said via the Indy Star . “Not a year of playing time, but being in the meetings every day and just studying all the time, coming here early in the morning, meeting with (Colts coach Shane Steichen). That’s something I take pride in, because if I know the offense inside and out, like Shane does, I think we’re going to be unstoppable.”
Behind Richardson is Joe Flacco, who the Colts signed to a one-year deal during the offseason. Flacco was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, and provides Richardson with an excellent veteran presence to learn from and bounce ideas off of.
Rounding out the Colts’ quarterback depth chart is Sam Ehlinger, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Colts would sign BYU’s Kedon Slovis following the draft as an undrafted free agent, as well as Jason Bean from Kansas, who is listed as both a quarterback and a receiver.
Here is where the Colts quarterback room ranks among the rest of the NFL:
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Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, Anthony Brown Jr.
Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
Oct 29, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of the throwback Houston Oilers helmet the Tennessee Titans will wear against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, Malik Willis
Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton III
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Sam Hartman
Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer
Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman, Spencer Rattler
Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Aug 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on the sidelines before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Colts won19-15. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger
Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, John Wolford
Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, C.J. Beathard
Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, Skylar Thompson
Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke
Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Love, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
Dec 8, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; A San Francisco 49ers helmet on the bench before the game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Stroud, Case Keenum, Davis Mills
Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports
Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis
Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Devin Leary
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Shane Buechele
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Ian Book