Next season, the Colts intend to make quarterback Anthony Richardson more competitive.

Next Season: The Colts’ Plan to Make Quarterback Anthony Richardson More Competitive

As the Indianapolis Colts prepare for the 2025 NFL season, one of their primary objectives is to further develop and empower their young quarterback, Anthony Richardson. With the NFL’s increasing emphasis on mobility, arm strength, and adaptability in quarterbacks, Richardson presents an exciting yet challenging prospect for the Colts’ future. In this piece, we’ll examine how the Colts intend to make Richardson more competitive next season, through a combination of strategic planning, player development, roster improvements, and coaching adjustments.

1. The Promise of Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson, drafted by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft, was viewed as one of the most promising quarterback prospects. His physical attributes — standing at 6’4″ and weighing around 244 pounds, combined with his 4.43-second 40-yard dash — made him a physical marvel at the quarterback position. Richardson’s cannon of an arm, his ability to make throws on the run, and his natural athleticism make him an intriguing talent. However, there’s no denying that he came into the league raw, particularly in terms of decision-making, touch on passes, and his overall mechanics.

Richardson’s rookie season showed flashes of potential but also exposed his limitations. Inconsistent accuracy, struggles with reading defenses, and the challenge of handling the speed of the NFL were evident throughout the 2023 season. Nevertheless, the Colts and their fans see his potential, which is why making him more competitive in 2025 is a priority.

2. Establishing a Clear Development Path

One of the first steps the Colts must take in preparing Richardson for a more competitive 2025 season is to establish a clear and focused development path. This means building a plan that will address his weaknesses while amplifying his strengths. Quarterbacks in the NFL do not develop overnight, and the Colts have learned from the past failures of rushing quarterbacks into starting roles before they are ready.

Improving Footwork and Mechanics: Richardson’s mechanics are perhaps his most glaring issue. His footwork, although functional, is erratic, and it impacts the accuracy of his throws, especially on short to intermediate routes. The Colts need to focus on ensuring Richardson develops proper footwork habits. The coaching staff should work with him on keeping his feet set when delivering throws, particularly in the pocket. Improving his throwing mechanics will help increase his consistency and his ability to make quick, accurate decisions.

Decision-Making and Poise: Another critical area for Richardson is his decision-making. In his rookie season, he sometimes struggled with recognizing defensive schemes and made poor choices under pressure. To combat this, the Colts should give Richardson more reps in live-action situations during training camp and preseason games. These situations should replicate real-game pressures, allowing Richardson to become more comfortable with his reads and how to handle various defensive alignments.

Richardson must be taught to remain calm and confident when facing adversity. The Colts’ offensive line will play a key role in this development. A clean pocket allows quarterbacks to make better decisions, and Richardson needs to trust his offensive line. Additionally, Richardson must learn when to throw the ball away, avoid taking unnecessary hits, and sometimes let plays go instead of forcing an outcome.

Repetition and Consistency in Practice: One of the best ways to make a quarterback more competitive is by providing constant repetition and consistency in practice. Richardson must be given more opportunities to work with the first-team offense. More 11-on-11 drills in full-team settings will help him get used to the flow of the game, his teammates, and the tempo of the NFL. This will allow him to be more decisive with the ball and develop the necessary chemistry with his receivers.

3. Enhancing the Offensive Line Play

A quarterback’s development is often limited or enhanced by the play of the offensive line. The Colts’ offensive line has had its ups and downs, and for Richardson to take the next step in his development, the team must address its offensive line issues.

Protecting Richardson: Richardson’s athleticism allows him to extend plays, but he’s not invincible. He will need better protection in 2025, especially in critical moments when the pocket collapses. The Colts should focus on improving the pass protection aspect of the offensive line. Tackles like Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann need to step up, and the interior of the line must avoid pressure up the middle. Keeping Richardson clean in the pocket will allow him more time to read the defense, make plays with his arm, and be confident in his decision-making.

The Colts can achieve this through a combination of drafting or signing top-tier offensive linemen, improving the coordination and chemistry between players, and coaching up the unit to make quicker and more decisive decisions on the line. Richardson’s mobility can cover up some of the issues with the offensive line, but more often than not, a strong line leads to a more confident quarterback.

Establishing a Strong Running Game: A solid running game is one of the key factors in reducing a quarterback’s pressure and providing balance to an offense. Jonathan Taylor, when healthy, is one of the league’s premier running backs, and his presence will be essential to Richardson’s development. The Colts need to establish a consistent running game that will allow Richardson to benefit from play-action and set up more manageable passing situations. A strong running game can also reduce the number of third-and-long situations, which can be detrimental to a developing quarterback.

4. Building a More Reliable Receiving Corps

In order to maximize Anthony Richardson’s potential, the Colts must surround him with playmakers. Richardson has the arm strength and mobility to stretch the field, but he needs reliable receivers who can catch passes in tough spots and create separation.

Developing Young Talent: In 2024, the Colts saw flashes of promise from rookie wide receiver Josh Downs. Adding a true number one receiver to the mix would significantly aid Richardson’s progression. If the Colts can secure a high-caliber wide receiver via free agency or the draft, it would give Richardson a legitimate target to help him grow. A big-bodied, possession-style receiver, or a speedy downfield threat, would be invaluable for a quarterback like Richardson, who thrives when given multiple options in the passing game.

Chemistry with the Receiving Corps: Richardson needs to build rapport with his wide receivers, particularly with players like Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. As the young quarterback works on his mechanics and consistency, a consistent target in the passing game can help him develop. Additionally, the Colts’ tight ends, particularly rookie prospects, can serve as safety valves for Richardson on short-to-medium throws.

5. Coaching and Scheme Adjustments

A key factor in Richardson’s development will be the Colts’ coaching staff. Head Coach Shane Steichen, who took over in 2023, has worked with quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, helping him take the next step in his career. Steichen’s offensive schemes should be designed to cater to Richardson’s strengths while mitigating his weaknesses. Here are a few areas where Steichen and the Colts can adapt their scheme for Richardson:

Designing More RPOs (Run-Pass Options): Given Richardson’s athletic ability and mobility, one of the best ways to take advantage of his skill set is by implementing more run-pass options (RPOs) into the offense. RPOs can confuse defenders, forcing them to make quick decisions, while also giving Richardson the chance to use his legs to make plays. RPOs will also give him more opportunities to make throws in rhythm, reducing the chances of him needing to think too much under pressure.

Limiting Mental Overload: One of the common pitfalls for rookie quarterbacks is being asked to process too much too soon. Steichen and the Colts’ offensive staff need to ensure Richardson is not overwhelmed with too many reads. Simplifying the offensive system early on will allow Richardson to focus on the fundamentals and ease him into a more complex scheme over time. Quick-hitting routes, short throws, and easy reads in the early stages of his development will give him the confidence he needs to build up to more complex play designs.

Focused Game Planning: Richardson’s strengths and weaknesses should be a core part of the Colts’ weekly game plan. The coaching staff should carefully craft game plans that focus on his comfort zone, such as his ability to make throws on the move or in the open field. While Richardson is still developing as a pure pocket passer, he can thrive with more unconventional routes, bootlegs, and rollouts that put pressure on defenses and allow him to use his athleticism.

6. The Importance of Patience and Long-Term Success

Finally, the Colts must exercise patience with Anthony Richardson. The temptation to rush him into becoming a superstar may be strong, but the best way to ensure his long-term success is through careful development. Quarterbacks take time to adjust to the NFL, and rushing Richardson into an overly complex scheme or asking him to do too much early on could stunt his growth.

By taking a patient approach, surrounding him with a strong supporting cast, and creating a development-focused environment, the Colts can maximize their quarterback’s potential. With the right combination of coaching, offensive support, and personal development, Richardson can evolve into one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league.

The Indianapolis Colts have high hopes for Anthony Richardson, and 2025 will be a critical year in his development. The Colts need to make him a more competitive force by providing him with the right tools, support, and coaching to succeed. This will involve refining his mechanics, bolstering the offensive line, improving the receiving corps, and fostering his decision-making ability. If the Colts can build around Richardson’s strengths, provide the right development plan, and show patience in his progress, they will be well on their way to developing a franchise quarterback capable of leading them to sustained success.