Colts QB Anthony Richardson believes he can be next Jalen Hurts

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson believes he can be for the Indianapolis Colts what Jalen Hurts was for the Philadelphia Eagles last season -- thanks to Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen.

"We’ve all seen what he did with Jalen Hurts and he told me we can do similar things like that," Richardson said about Steichen, Philadelphia's former offensive coordinator, during a Friday news conference, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.

"And I’m definitely excited for it because I feel like I can perform the same way Jalen did in a type of offense like that. So, I’m looking forward to the offense, looking forward to working with coach, and ready to get to work." 

Hurts has emerged as a revelation in Philadelphia and developed into a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate while working under Steichen. According to ESPN stats, the 24-year-old finished this past regular season ranked fourth among eligible players with a 66.4 adjusted QBR and fourth among quarterbacks with 760 rushing yards. Hurts tossed 22 touchdown passes and rushed for 13 scores en route to guiding the Eagles to the NFC East title and, ultimately, to a Super Bowl berth. 

Richardson, the fourth overall pick of this year's draft, may need some seasoning before he is ready to face live defenses in meaningful games. He indicated on Friday he will prepare as if he is going to receive a chance to win the starting job in training camp and preseason.

"[M]aking sure I know what’s going on in the playbook, knowing my teammates, just making sure I’m here in the building, putting the work in so that when the time does come and when I do step on the field, it’ll be easier for me," Richardson explained about his spring and summer plans. "...The mental is really where it’s at and I want to make sure I’m on point with that because the physical, it’ll just take care of everything else." 

Colts general manager Chris Ballard made it known Thursday that the club always had big plans for Richardson leading up to the draft's opening night. If Richardson truly follows in Hurts' footsteps, the Colts could have something special on their hands three years down the road, too..