In April, former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson became just the third Indianapolis Colts quarterback to be selected with a top-five overall draft selection since 1998, joining the likeness of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
But with that comes great expectations, which Richardson spoke about with Fox59’s Mike Chappell on Monday.
“I know they invested a lot in me,’’ Richardson said “But I’m not the only person on this team. They invested a lot into the other players. They invested a lot into this staff. I know they’re going to ride with me, and I’m going to ride with them. I don’t really see it as I’m the main guy because, without the other pieces on the team, it’s not going to work.’’
Richardson dominated the headlines approaching this year’s NFL Draft, displaying a generational level of size, speed, and athleticism at the position that drew the attention of the masses.
Towering at 6-foot-4 and weighing 244 pounds, Richardson ran an impressive 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, also showing off a 40.5’’ vertical jump and a 10’ 9’’ standing broad jump.
He also put his elite arm strength on display at the combine and at his Pro Day, but will this result in instant success at the next level? Some in Indianapolis think he has the potential to lead the Colts all the way to the Super Bowl, which Richardson also addressed.
“Everybody wants me to come here and win a Super Bowl my first year,’’ Richardson said. “I wish I could, and I hope I can. But sometimes, you’ve got to understand it’s not all about me. [I’m] making sure everybody on this team is involved and everybody is doing their job, because I’m not the only one here.”
It sounds like Richardson is more focused on the team versus himself when it comes to taking Indianapolis to the Promise Land. The Colts have failed to reach the playoffs in six of their last eight seasons, and currently have the third-longest odds of winning the Super Bowl this season out of all 32 teams at +15000.
Plus Richardson only made 13 starts in his collegiate career and is viewed by many as a quarterback that will take time to develop as a polished product.
There’s no question that he has the physical tools to be one of the best quarterbacks the league has seen. The question is will he reach that potential, how soon can he reach it, and if it can result in wins for the Colts in the future.
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