The one move that made the most sense this offseason after the Indianapolis Colts hired Shane Steichen as the new head coach was to sign quarterback Gardner Minshew in free agency.
Regardless of whichever rookie quarterback was going to be joining the team, adding Minshew to the roster was an easy fit. He’s a strong bridge option who has experience in Steichen’s offense and can keep the offense moving without any major hiccups.
On top of that, he’s a great teammate, evidenced by the fact that he’s already taken rookie Anthony Richardson under his wing.
“It’s been great. Gardner(Minshew II) has done a hell of a job taking him under his wing in that quarterback room,” Steichen said during the first week of OTAs. “Obviously, he’s got experience. He’s played a ton of games in this league. But he’s done a really nice job, I’m really pleased with where he’s at, with everything we’re doing on offense and the same thing, helping Anthony (Richardson) at the same time.”
Minshew himself didn’t just sign with the Colts to be the backup quarterback. He’s competing to push Richardson for the starting role even if the latter is undoubtedly the future of the organization.
Through the first two weeks of OTAs, Minshew has taken the majority of reps with the first-team offense. At least, that has been the case for the two practices the media has watched. The duo split reps during the first week while Minshew took all of the first-team reps during the second week.
Steichen also felt the addition of Minshew would be beneficial for a young quarterback like Richardson.
“There’s no question about that, but I also think that Gardner (Minshew II) has done a lot. Obviously being around him and what I know what he’s capable of, his brain and how it functions – he loves football, and that’s a big part of it,” Steichen said. “It’s a big plus for me to be around a guy that I know personally at that position that knows the system, that I know how he operates, he knows how I operate. It definitely helps.”
The future may be Richardson’s to take, but Minshew is already providing him the type of healthy competition and mentorship needed for the rookie to progress in his development plan.
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