Indianapolis Colts’ coach Shane Steichen recently announced that Anthony Richardson was reinstated as QB1 for the remainder of the season. Responding to a query from a pressman, Richardson showed his understanding and awareness of the magnitude of the position and the hard work he needs to put in to be right for the team. However, there are still questions over whether he would prove a right fit for the team in view of the fact that the organization also faces an uphill task.
The circumstances surrounding Richardson’s recent relegation to a bench role were less than ideal, with the Colts’ handling and level of transparency leaving a lot to be desired. However, the core issue at play involves the success rate of reinstated QBs – a rarity. Since 2000, The Indianapolis Star reveals that only two out of 74 QBs drafted in the first round – Alex Smith (49ers) and Rex Grossman (Bears) – were demoted and returned to have success with the same team.
More often, QBs who have rekindled their career fires usually did so with other franchises, like Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, and Sam Darnold. However, the Colts have hope in Richardson due to his rare prospect status, characterized by impressive play, size, unique dual-threat ability, and his undeniable promise as a rookie. However, his historically poor completion rate (44.4%) over six starts stands as a drawback.
Coach Steichen attributes Richardson’s previous relegation to lapses in attention to detail concerning his academics, workouts, practice sessions, and weight room habits. Steichen notes that since his two-week benching, Richardson has made commendable strides in these areas and described him as a “pro’s pro.” But he also stressed that Richardson is not a finished product and it’s the coaching staff’s task to help him reach his full potential. Steichen adds that he believes in Richardson’s abilities to be the franchise quarterback, but that the journey to that point is not always straightforward.
Whether Richardson can meet these expectations remains to be seen, as history seems not to favor them. In his comment, FOX Sports NFL reporter Ben Arthur notes that each player has a unique journey and method of development. He further suggests that while the craving for instant satisfaction is rife, the route to success often involves overcoming challenges. Arthur underscores his faith in Richardson’s abilities, notwithstanding.
Prior to working for FOX Sports, Ben Arthur worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network. Previously, he covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons before moving to Tennessee. He can be seen on Twitter at @benyarthur. As NFL enthusiasts and fans follow their favorite leagues, teams, and players, they can instantly receive personalized daily newsletters by simply creating, or logging into their FOX Sports accounts. Fox Sports readers can also get more from the National Football League by following their favorites to receive updates about forthcoming games, news, and more.
