INDIANAPOLIS — They’ve been here through so many frustrating changes at the most consequential position.
That would be offensive lineman Quenton Nelson and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Now, they and their Indianapolis Colts teammates are dealing with yet another.
Out goes Anthony Richardson Sr.
In comes Daniel Jones.
“We knew that this was going to be a big decision for Shane (Steichen) and the front office to make,’’ Nelson said Tuesday afternoon. “Nothing really changes for us. We’re still going to come to work, do our job and still support both guys.
“It’s nothing completely new to us.’’
That doesn’t mean one of the Colts’ undeniable cornerstones and one of the NFL’s premier guards wouldn’t prefer something different.
Like consistency at quarterback.
Since being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in 2018, Nelson has been named All-Pro five times — three first-team nods, two second-team — and is the first player in club history selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons.
He’s blocked for 11 different starting quarterbacks. Jones will be the 12th when the Colts open the season Sept. 7 against Miami at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Is Nelson frustrated by the revolving door?
“I would say so,’’ he said. “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. You look around the league and just look at the consistency of having Patrick Mahomes or a quarterback behind you that’s like been the franchise player for years and years and years and getting to build the chemistry with that quarterback year after year is something that there is an advantage to when it comes to O-line play.
“So, to answer your question, yeah.’’
Here’s a little context.
Since 2018, Mahomes has started 111 of a possible 116 regular-season games for the Kansas City Chiefs. Josh Allen has missed one start for the Buffalo Bills since 2019.
The most total starts by a Colts QB over the past eight seasons? Carson Wentz with 17. Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck are next with 16, followed by the 15 of Richardson and Jacoby Brissett.
The lack of anything approaching continuity and better play at quarterback has kept the Colts from maximizing the talents of Nelson, Pittman, pass rusher DeForest Buckner, running back Jonathan Taylor and so many others. In 2021, Taylor led the NFL in rushing with a franchise-record 1,811 yards and 20 total touchdowns only to have a colossal collapse in the final two games dash the team’s playoff bid.
Pittman’s list of starting QBs isn’t as long as Nelson’s simply because he’s played two fewer seasons. The 2020 second-round pick has had to develop timing with nine, including Jones.
“It’s just the way things shake out,’’ Pittman said of the Who’s Next? trend with the Colts. “Obviously competition is tough because we love both guys and obviously there can’t be both.
“It’s really hard because we want to be excited for Dan, but we also feel bad for AR because he did compete his butt off.’’
Pittman was asked again about having to adjust to a different quarterback.
“I just love playing for the Indianapolis Colts,’’ he said. “Whatever we do, I’m gonna do.’’
The Colts’ starting quarterbacks since Luck’s retirement prior to the 2019 season (total starts): Richardson (15), Joe Flacco (6), Gardnew Minshew II (13), Matt Ryan (12), Sam Ehlinger (3), Nick Foles (2), Wentz (17), Rivers (16), Brissett (15), Brian Hoyer (1).
Pittman believes there’s still a path for Richardson to earn his way back. Richardson just turned 23 in May.
“Now is the time to love him up and just let him know that he competed hard and he did make improvements and to just keep on going,’’ he said. “He’s so young. I mean, who knows what’s out there in front of him?
“As long as he keeps getting better every single day, I can’t see it not working out for him in the long run.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.