INDIANAPOLIS – Despite the team’s actions to the contrary, Chris Ballard remains bullish on the 20-year-old quarterback he selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
You know, the one Shane Steichen and the Indianapolis Colts have benched twice in less than 10 months.
That would be Anthony Richardson Sr., now 23. He’ll be standing on the Lucas Oil Stadium sideline – yes, one play away from once again being the guy – as Daniel Jones leads the Colts into their Sept. 7 opener against the Miami Dolphins.
During Ballard’s 27-plus-minute Wednesday press conference with the media to discuss Tuesday’s roster cuts, the strengths and weaknesses of the 53-player roster and the pressure that will undoubtedly follow Ballard, Shane Steichen and the Colts into what should be a pivotal season for so many, the first half of the discussion and first 13 questions/follow-ups were quarterback-centric.
And Ballard made a few Richardson-related issues crystal clear.
“We’re not trading him.’’
And.
“Daniel won the job. Does that mean we’re down on Anthony? No.’’
And.
“I know the negativity and it’s easy to say, ‘OK, he’s done. And I don’t agree.’’
And.
“We took a swing and look, I’m not ready to say that we missed because I don’t think we have, yet. I think Anthony has a bright future. I believe that.’’
And.
“I think overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way are good for anybody. I’m proud of Anthony, of where he’s at, how far he’s come.’’
At one point, Ballard tried to redirect the give-and-take with the media.
“You know, we do have like 50, 51 other guys on the team,’’ he said. “Do we have any other questions on the team? I mean, you can keep spinning this other one as many ways as you want, but we do have 51 other (players).’’
Nice try.
There were questions about a revamped cornerbacks room, rookie tight end Tyler Warren and the strength of a receivers room that features Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and AD Mitchell.
But much of the focus remained on the twice-benched quarterback, as well it should have.
Richardson was the raw talent – 13 starts at Florida – Ballard and Steichen envisioned ending the Colts’ quarterback instability. But to this point, that raw talent has done little more than tease with flashes of what might be while frustrating everyone with injuries and inefficiency.
He’s missed 17 of 34 games with a variety of injuries. In his 15 starts, Richardson has completed 50.6% of his passes. That’s the worst accuracy over the past two seasons among 40 quarterbacks with at least 348 attempts. No. 39 is Zach Wilson at 60.1%.
Have the Colts mishandled Richardson’s development? Yes. In hindsight, Ballard wishes the team had gone with veteran Gardner Minshew II in 2023 and allowed Richardson to watch, learn and grow on and off the field.
Has Richardson been complicit? Yes. He was benched for two games last season because of a lack of proper game preparation and attention to detail.
Whatever was missing in Richardson’s commitment to being the Colts’ $34 million quarterback didn’t just surface last October. There has been a level of enabling by everyone around the young, immature quarterback.
“Everybody’s growth and path and journey in this league is different, OK?’’ Ballard said. “I wish I could draw a straight line from A to B and say, ‘This is the thing. This is how it’s going to go. . . . We all know that’s not life.’’
When Steichen opted for Jones on Aug. 19, following the open training camp competition, he made it clear the decision was for the season and that Jones would not be on a short leash.
While that was a positive step as Jones heads into Phase 2 of his career after being discarded by the New York Giants last November, it was another major setback for Richardson.
Barring injury or poor performance by Jones, Richardson’s third year might consist of running the scout team and growing as much as possible from taking mental reps at practice when Jones is running the No. 1 offense.
It’s difficult to see a path forward for Richardson in Indy. He’s under contract through 2026 unless the Colts exercise the fifth-year option in his rookie deal. That seems highly unlikely.
Ballard was asked if Richardson can still be a franchise quarterback.
“I think it’s sure in him, I do,’’ he said. “I think it’s in him. Whether that happens or not, we’ll see. But I do think it’s in him.’’
What’s a successful 2025?
The Colts have missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, their worst postseason drought in more than three decades. They’re 62-69-1 in Ballard’s eight seasons as general manager and 17-17 with Steichen as head coach.
Based on his conversations with owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, what would qualify as a successful ’25?
“Winning,’’ Ballard said. “I mean . . . accomplishing our goals. She, we all know. I don’t think I’ve ever shied away from the fact that we haven’t been good enough. I never shied away from that and she doesn’t, either. She’s just competitive . . . so is Kalen (Jackson) and so is Casey (Foyt). I think that’s the one thing about Jim (Irsay) that I really loved was, God, I mean, he was competitive. Wanted to win. They got the same gene. Success is not losing, it’s winning.’’
Ballard shrugged off the notion that he’s feeling added pressure heading into his ninth season. Criticism continues to mount.
“I think y’all know me well enough that I care deeply about this organization and city, the fans, the way they treat you. They’re great,’’ he said. “Now, I got a few emails that were nasty but I always wonder . . . what basement is some dude writing that from? I’ve never rolled that way where I worry about what the future holds. I’m fortunate to work in the National Football League. I’ve always been grateful and I will never take one day for granted. This is a unique place. I could have to go get a real job for a living. That would suck. That would really suck. So, no, no pressure in that way.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.