Colts HC Shane Steichen doesn't hold back on Anthony Richardson

The rookie campaign of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was cut short due to a shoulder injury, but when he was on the field, he displayed tantalizing potential.

While the injury was obviously unfortunate, Colts head coach  said that Richardson used his time off to absorb information.

“Obviously, he got a chance to sit back, watch, and learn,” said Steichen, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “I had some good meetings with him throughout the season, just individually me and him, sitting down talking football. Really just seeing the NFL season as a whole.”

Not only did Richardson hurt his shoulder, but he also suffered a concussion early in Week 2 that knocked him out for the following game.

So, while Richardson took the field four times in 2023, in reality, he only really played two full games.

“Obviously, would’ve loved to have him out there for the season to learn that way but there’s always reasons in life I think, why things happen,” added Steichen. “I think what happened to him was unfortunate but I think it’s going to make him stronger at the end.”

During his brief time on the gridiron this year, Richardson threw for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while completing 59.5 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 87.3. He also rushed for 136 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

“Just talking with him individually going through different stuff. Just football 101 stuff — coverages and fronts and going through what do we like versus this look and all that,” Steichen said. “He was soaking it in, and he was wired in all year obviously doing his rehab. Looking forward to his future next year.”

The 21-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Florida, was selected by Indianapolis with the fourth overall pick of the NFL Draft last spring.

Gardner Minshew admirably filled in for Anthony Richardson and nearly took the Colts to the playoffs, but they fell to the Houston Texans on the final day of the regular season, ending their postseason hopes.

Indianapolis went a respectable 9-8 on the year.