The Indianapolis Colts may have given their first hint on Friday as to who their starting quarterback will be when the regular season begins.
Richardson getting first team reps
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) July 28, 2023
#Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson just ripped one roughly 60 yards to Alec Pierce for a TD after rolling out to his left.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 28, 2023
Disclaimer: He would’ve been sacked in a real game because he held the ball for like 10 seconds, but the arm talent is *different.*
The organization selected Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in April, and it will likely either be him or Gardner Minshew taking the first offensive snaps in Week 1. Indianapolis signed Minshew in March and he's been a serviceable backup and solid fill-in starter when needed during his four-year career.
Former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles was released in May, but the Colts still have 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger on the depth chart to serve as the third stringer.
One of the longer-tenured Indianapolis players -- linebacker Zaire Franklin -- said this spring that he thinks it's "probably likely" that Richardson will be the team's QB1 in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Friday's news of the Florida product getting first-team reps comes after he was playing with the second unit earlier this week.
Whether it's Minshew or Richardson under center for first-year head coach Shane Steichen against the Jags, either player will have a tough task getting the Colts back in contention. The team is coming off their worst season since 2017, finishing 2022 with a 4-12-1 record.
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