Anthony

Richardson

Hess worked with Josh Allen to refine Allen’s rough early-career throwing mechanics. The changes that stemmed from Allen’s work with Hess made him one of the NFL’s most efficient, accurate passers. Entering a phase of his career in which his viability as an NFL starter is in question, Richardson will reportedly look to refine “his throws on short and intermediate routes” and work on his short-area touch, which was severely lacking in 2024. Only Dorian Thompson-Robinson was more inaccurate than Richardson on passes between 0-10 yards last season. “I’ve just got to make sure I’m on point,” Richardson said, “doing everything I can to help this organization go in the right direction.” Holder reported this week that the Colts could pursue Justin Fields in free agency — a move that would likely create a Week 1 starting competition between Richardson and Fields.

Holder calls Fields “intriguing” and notes that Colts GM Chris Ballard “evaluated [Fields] closely during the player’s days at Ohio State” and noted the eighth-year GM had “a fondness for Fields before the 2021 draft.” This is not the first Colts beat we’ve seen this offseason linking Fields to the Colts as a measuring stick for Anthony Richardson. Holder also noted that Richardson’s back injury is “not something that will impede Richardson in the long term” and that it is believed to be “related to the use of an orthotic walking boot Richardson had been wearing.” If the Colts do shift to a run-heavy offense with quarterback keeper plays more heavily emphasized, Fields would be a perfect fit for the system. That also could make the winner of a Richardson-Fields quarterback competition a league-winner type of fantasy football pick. The possibility is, as Holder said, “intriguing.”

Ballard was straightforward in Friday’s press conference, at one point saying, “we knew when he took [Richardson] it was going to be a roller-coaster.” Ballard complimented Richardson’s strengths but spoke at length about his lows, even comparing Richardson’s poor game preparation to a child who refuses to clean his or her bedroom. When asked if the Colts view Richardson as the long-term answer at QB, Ballard said, “I don’t think we can completely stamp it.” Richardson enters 2025 as the incumbent starter but it appears as though he will be asked to defend his position when training camp opens.

Boyd’s report is via team sources. It’s at least a little surprising that the Colts wouldn’t try to find a quarterback to push Richardson after an uninspiring sophomore season, but this is how the Colts under Chris Ballard have operated: They aren’t afraid to give their younger players extended looks even after they’ve struggled. What are the Colts going to do, fire Ballard? Richardson, who told reporters his back problems “might be chronic” enters the offseason needing to take a big leap to prove everybody who believed in him right.

Richardson recently referenced having back issues since he was young, but that was apparently news to the Colts. Steichen also said Richardson is not expected to require surgery, and that his recent spasms flareup is a short-term issue. Alrighty then. It would certainly appear there is a disconnect between coach and player. How severe is unclear. With both Steichen and Richardson at a crossroads, the Colts are set to be one of the offseason’s most fascinating teams.

A tumultuous second season for Richardson officially ends on a low note. Richardson missed two straight weeks of practice due to severe back spasms and will now look to improve his health and play in 2025. The former No. 4 overall pick took a major step back this season, throwing for 1814-8-12 while completing just 47.7 percent of his passes. He added another 86-499-6 on the ground, but this was by all accounts a season to forget for Richardson, who saw himself benched for Weeks 9 and 10 after throwing 958-4-7 in his first six games of the year. He showed slightly improved play when he returned in Week 11, but it goes without saying that the Colts’ quarterback situation is anything but solved heading into the offseason. The Colts could go in a number of directions at quarterback this offseason, including bringing in a vet to compete with Richardson — a la Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold, should he become available. It’s going to be an interesting offseason in Indianapolis, as the organization appears to be heading in the wrong direction in more ways than one. We’ll see what the future holds for Richardson as things unfold over time.

According to Colts beat writer Joel A. Erickson, Richardson did not have his helmet with him and was not stretching with the quarterbacks. This comes a day after Richardson was listed as a DNP and puts his Week 18 availability firmly in doubt if he cannot get on the field in some capacity on Friday. There’s no reason for the Colts to play Richardson, who appears to be less than 100 percent, in a meaningless game to close out the season. It would not be surprising to see the team rule him out, giving way to Joe Flacco to start against the Jaguars.

Richardson has been dealing with back spasms for years. Per the quarterback himself, they rendered him unable to walk or stand at some points last week. While things are obviously not bad this week if he hasn’t been ruled out yet, a DNP on Wednesday speaks for itself. Joe Flacco is on track to start for the Colts’ season finale versus the Jaguars. The soon-to-be 40-year-old will be a volume-based QB2 for a great matchup with a dreadful Jacksonville defense.

While he’s dealt with these spasms for multiple years, Richardson said the spasms that plagued him last week had “never been this severe.” The second-year quarterback said he was unable to stand or walk at various times last week and needed to crawl to get around his house. Despite this, Richardson and head coach Shane Steichen have said they hope he can play in the team’s season finale on Sunday against the Jaguars, but there’s no reason to put him on the field at less than 100 percent. The team will release their first injury report on Wednesday, which will reveal more about Richardson’s Week 18 availability than anything he or Steichen says.

Richardson was held out of last week’s game against the Giants due to back spasms that were reportedly “very serious,” according to an earlier report from ESPN’s Stephen Holder. With the Colts eliminated from playoff contention, there’s no reason to force Richardson on the field at less than 100 percent, so we’ll see where the Colts land on this decision when we get a bit closer to the weekend. If Richardson can’t go, Joe Flacco will make his sixth start of the season.