Hall of Famer reacts to Colts' Anthony Richardson decision

Former NFL quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon agrees with the decision made by Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen to start rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson. 

"Well, what they’re saying is, 'We didn’t draft him No. 4 for nothing,'" Moon recently told Jason Reid of Andscape. "They’ve seen enough to be confident that this is what they need to do. They’ve made the decision, they’ve been decisive and I agree with it."

Richardson famously recorded just 13 college starts while with the Florida Gators and admitted earlier this week that he "was shocked" to learn he'll immediately start for the Colts over veteran Gardner Minshew. Steichen later noted that "there aren’t many guys that" physically can match what Richardson can do on the field, and Moon added that the 21-year-old is "a hell of a physical talent" who clearly impressed his coaches from organized team activities throughout training camp and a single preseason appearance. 

"You know the mistakes are gonna come," Moon said about going with the unproven first-year pro right away. "That’s the way it is for all young quarterbacks...But he’s also gonna make some big plays on the other side of it. He’s gonna make some in both [the passing and running games]. So let’s just put him out there and get the whole thing started." 

Richardson completed just 53.8% of his pass attempts during his final college season and looked quite raw while connecting on 7-of-12 passes for 67 yards with an avoidable interception in his preseason debut at the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday. Some may believe that Steichen can always go to Minshew if Richardson looks overmatched when the games begin to matter, but Moon disagrees with that mindset. 

"Once you do this, once you make the decision to go with him, there’s no turning back now," Moon continued about Steichen naming Richardson the Week 1 QB1. "It’s not like you can bench him if he’s not playing well, and then go back to him, because you’ll probably destroy his confidence." 

Discussions about whether or not Richardson should've sat and learned for at least half of the upcoming season will likely continue into the fall, especially if he struggles in September or hits the so-called "rookie wall" before Christmas Day.