Colts HC reveals how Anthony Richardson Sr. is handling latest demotion

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. understandably became the subject of trade rumors almost immediately after he officially lost the competition for the Indianapolis starting job to free-agency signing Daniel Jones.

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen indicated that Richardson is handling his latest demotion like a pro.

"I’ve had conversations with him," Steichen said about Richardson, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Obviously, he’s our backup quarterback right now. [He’s] still attacking it the right way, coming in, being a pro, getting in here early, taking care of his body, rehabbing, treatment. And in the QB room, [he’s] preparing like he’s the starter."

Steichen revealed last week that he reminded Richardson that the 23-year-old is "one play away" from possibly taking regular-season snaps as soon as during Indianapolis' Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7. After all, Jones dealt with multiple noteworthy physical setbacks during his time with the New York Giants. 

That said, the perception exists that Richardson may need a change of scenery after he missed 17 regular-season games due to injuries over his first two pro campaigns. Similar takes surfaced last fall when Richardson was temporarily benched after he took himself out of a game because he was "tired." 

This past December, Steichen insisted that Richardson "made great strides" and showed "great growth in all aspects of his game" following that two-week demotion.

"I think we’ve got a great QB room with really bright minds that are there and everybody kind of ping pongs off each other," Steichen added while speaking about Richardson on Monday. "And then on the practice field, making sure he’s working on his fundamentals, the details — running the scout team, making sure that’s on point and getting better there. And then obviously when meetings are over, making sure we’re watching cut-ups — third down, red zone, all those things throughout the week, knowing that he’s one play away from playing."

The current Colts regime could be facing a make-or-break season, which likely explains why general manager Chris Ballard isn't in a rush to trade Richardson at a discounted price. Instead, Ballard and Steichen will hope that the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft improves while developing as a backup until his number is called at some point down the road.