Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts are failing Anthony Richardson

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jul 31, 2023 11:30 AM ET

Anthony Richardson is in a terrible place. Colts owner Jim Irsay's made sure of it.

His insistence on creating unnecessary drama with star running back Jonathan Taylor is not only a huge distraction for the organization, but it's also the worst thing possible for rookie quarterback Richardson, who Indianapolis drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Taylor is the team's best offensive weapon and could be Richardson's best friend, taking a lot of the strain off the rookie quarterback's shoulders.

Instead, Irsay's ruined the team's relationship with Taylor, which will only make Richardson's job harder. If things aren't salvageable, Richardson will be asked to do more - particularly as a runner - to make up for Taylor's absence.

He's certainly capable of being a major asset in the running game. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, the fastest at the combine.

Anthony Richardson is having himself a day.

4.44u on his first run. @GatorsFB

: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/G1Uv9cyPst
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

Still, it's a lot to ask of a quarterback with as much talent as any drafted in 2023 but without the same track record of success. It will also increase the number of hits he takes.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Irsay's put his quarterback in a bad position.

They tossed Peyton Manning -- only the greatest quarterback in franchise history -- to the curb in 2012 as damaged goods despite the quarterback "pleading" to stay with the organization to tutor Andrew Luck.

Irsay's gamble failed tremendously.

Manning returned to his MVP form with the Broncos while the Colts botched Luck's career. After a promising start, Luck retired after seven seasons, one of which he missed due to injury.

Richardson is the third generational talent at quarterback for Indianapolis in the last quarter-century and the franchise is already trying to torch his career, too.

If Taylor isn't traded, he could sit out, incurring fines but also proving how much he would be missed, contrary to Irsay's belief.

#Colts owner Jim Irsay: “If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one’s gonna miss us. The league goes on. We know that. The National Football (League) rolls on. It doesn’t matter who comes and who goes, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 30, 2023

Richardson is an unfortunate casualty caught in the crossfire of Irsay's misguided grievance with Taylor.

For his sake, Richardson should use his elite speed to run far away from Indianapolis.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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