The Indianapolis Colts have been told that they must change their approach next season if they are to start Anthony Richardson.
The team has already indicated that they plan to give first-round NFL Draft pick Richardson plenty of playing time as a rookie to see what he's capable of - in a surprising move with many believing that the Florida quarterback needs time to develop.
No-one had expected the team to draft Richardson with the fourth overall pick last month, after being heavily predicted to be selecting Will Levis. However, it's a pick that should certainly excite Colts fans, with the 21-year-old having an incredibly high ceiling due to his extreme athletic ability and arm power.
But after starting just 13 games at college, and almost being benched at one point, Richardson may need time to develop from college to the NFL level - having to work on his throwing motion and improving his accuracy.
Many thought that would mean he could be benched for a year or two before starting, similarly to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, but it appears Richardson will be thrown into the deep end this season.
And experienced defensive player Logan Ryan has told the Colts why they must change their style if they are to start him. Speaking on Good Morning Football, he said: "I think he is going to bring a lot of juice to the team, but I think they're going to have to change to a running team and a defensive team.
"Let's be honest - he's a rookie quarterback with 13 starts. They're going to have to be a defensive team and rely on Shaquille Leonard."
The Colts have been a slightly above average defensive team in recent seasons, but did add some potentially impactful players to their team this off-season - including draft picks Julius Brents, Adetomiwa Adebawore and Darius Rush.
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For Richardson, it remains to be seen if he will be the be the day one starter, as he will only have to compete with Gardner Minshew. One man was taken out of the running yesterday, when the team released former starter and Super Bowl winner Nick Foles.
But the Colts general manager Chris Ballard has indicated that they hope their new man will win the job.
Speaking to NBC Sports, Ballard said: "We gotta get him in here and see where he is. We don’t know. He turns 21 this month—he’s so young still.
"Let us figure out what he can handle before making any decisions. But there’s not many people who can do what he does. When Morocco Brown (Colts chief executive) watched him, he came back and told me: 'I’m watching this kid in practice, and I’m drooling.'"
