The Colts wrapped up their preseason on Saturday with a massive 41-14 win over the Bengals in Cincinnati. While Indy did have one starter, play in right guard Matt Goncalves, the majority of snaps went to third and fourth-stringers vying to earn a roster spot.
Among the starters and backups resting were new starting quarterback Daniel Jones and his backup Anthony Richardson Sr. Richardson has had a rough go of life in the NFL since being drafted in 2023 as the Colts have struggled to figure out the proper development plan for him.
Part of that development meant sitting out the preseason finale, a decision the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins doesn’t agree with.
Atkins shared why he thought Richardson, who is still incredibly raw at 23 years old, needed to play.
“If the Colts want to still develop (Richardson) as they say, and he's not going to get reps beyond the scout team for as long as Daniel Jones is healthy, then this was an opportunity to work through some of the operational issues the Colts say have been holding him back,” Atkins wrote, questioning what the team’s true intentions are with Richardson.
“If the Colts aren't playing him because they can't risk an injury to their backup quarterback, they are sending the message that they prioritize that backup role much more than they do his actual development. That makes it harder to believe in a path forward here, and it leaves him sort of twisting in the wind in the meantime.”
Head coach Shane Steichen has been inconsistent with his messaging surrounding the quarterback’s development. At first, he had to play to get better. Then, he needed to sit to learn how to be a professional. But now, he needs to sit, learn and develop behind the scenes?
Make no mistake about it, the Colts have completely botched Richardson’s development. As a result, it’s hard to see the two sides working together for much longer.