Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson enters a make-or-break training camp, set to battle Daniel Jones for the starting gig.
As veterans report for work on Tuesday, all eyes will be on Richardson. He avoided the team's PUP list after missing offseason workouts due to a shoulder injury, making his return a key storyline heading into camp.
Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in an interview with the team’s official website that the club continues to have faith that the No. 4 overall pick from 2023 can turn things around.
"Where he is in his career and in his deal as a rookie, we still have time," Irsay-Gordon says. "He still has time to prove it."
The fact that Richardson was selected with a top-five pick gives the talented but injury-prone quarterback some leeway. The Colts are better off if he wins the starting gig, but with jobs on the line -- from the coaching staff to the front office -- the club can't wait forever. This offseason, they brought in Jones, another high draft pick who washed out of his first place of NFL employment, to put pressure on Richardson.
"Bring a sense of urgency," Irsay-Gordon said of the QB battle. "And nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition."
To win the job, Richardson must prove he can improve his accuracy and stay on the field. Although missing minicamp due to another shoulder issue wasn't ideal, the 23-year-old still has time to right the ship. GM Chris Ballard told reporters on Tuesday that Richardson is "good to go" as camp begins, but the team will likely limit his volume of reps initially, per The Athletic.
Jones isn't a sure-thing either. He completed just 63.3 percent of his passes in 10 games last season. While a more polished passer than Richardson and possessing dual-threat mobility, Jones also faces injury concerns, highlighted by playing only six games in 2023.
