Following a standout rookie season cut short by injury, Anthony Richardson's return in 2024 will be carefully monitored by the Colts. Despite a promising offseason of rehab and workouts, the young quarterback's progress will be closely observed, with expectations of rookie mistakes amidst a learning curve.
Patience will be a virtue for Anthony Richardson in his return to the Colts in 2024. Despite rave reviews of his shoulder rehab and workouts leading up to the start of the team's offseason program, the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft will be under scrutiny during OTAs in the upcoming weeks. This monitoring may extend into training camp, and rookie mistakes are a possibility.
Richardson played just 173 snaps last season, including only one full game, before suffering a season-ending AC joint sprain in Week 5. Consequently, he missed out on valuable learning experiences that he will need to accumulate in 2024. These factors cast a shadow over Richardson, whose health and performance will define the Colts' success this season.
The team's lack of significant moves in free agency suggests a strong belief in Richardson's ability to elevate the squad into contention. But what if that ability surpasses even the highest expectations?
On paper, Indianapolis has built a foundation for a potential bounce-back season for Richardson in Year 2. General manager Chris Ballard has emphasized the need to protect Richardson and provide him with more weapons. The Colts backed that up in the draft, using four of their top five picks on offense.
These selections include offensive linemen Matt Goncalves (third round) and Tanor Bortolini (fourth round), as well as wide receivers Adonai Mitchell (second round) and Anthony Gould (fifth round). Indianapolis already boasts an established starting offensive line featuring Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Braden Smith. Goncalves and Bortolini add valuable depth as mid-round picks.
The Colts see positional flexibility in both players. Goncalves, acquired via a third-round trade, can play tackle, guard, and even center, while Bortolini is viewed as an inside swing player.
"You can never have enough good linemen," Ballard said.
Mitchell, a first-round talent acquired at No. 52 overall, displayed dynamic outside receiving skills at the college level, especially in big moments. He recorded five touchdowns in as many College Football Playoff games during his stints at Georgia and Texas.
"I think he's got a rare ability to separate at the top of routes," coach Shane Steichen said. "He's got an arsenal of releases versus press man. You can see it show up on tape. ... The guy is a competitor. To get him where we got him, I couldn't be more fired up about it."
The rookie will join a promising wide receiver corps led by standout Michael Pittman Jr., who recently signed a three-year, $68 million extension in March. Third-year deep threat Alec Pierce and slot receiver Josh Downs, who is expected to build on his impressive rookie season with 68 catches, 771 yards, and two touchdowns, will also contribute.
Tight end Jelani Woods is expected to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for all of last season. The athletic 6-foot-7 target, a third-round pick in 2022, had a productive rookie season with 312 yards in 15 games while playing with three different quarterbacks. This performance hints at his potential with Richardson.
Another intriguing factor is the limited playing time between Richardson and star running back Jonathan Taylor in 2023. Steichen's playbook includes a playbook filled with run-pass option looks designed to put opposing defenses in a dilemma.
After a slow start to his 2023 campaign due to a stint on the Physically Unable to Perform list (ankle) and a thumb injury late in the year, Taylor found his groove towards the end of the season. He had a remarkable 30-carry, 188-yard performance in the Week 18 thriller against the Texans.
The Colts are pairing that version of Taylor, a Pro Bowl selection, with Richardson, who flashed dynamic dual-threat ability in his abbreviated rookie season.
"It's actually a good problem to have because we've got a lot of dudes," Steichen said. "Obviously, there's one football that goes around, but we've got a lot of talent. We've got to utilize that talent. That's our job: to put those guys in position to go do it. But we're fired up about what we have on offense. We've got to put the work in, you know what I mean? We get these guys in the building this offseason and going into training camp, put them in a position to succeed."
On paper, the Colts have created that opportunity for Richardson. The team's faith in his potential will be tested, but the young quarterback has the talent and support to make a significant impact in 2024.
