Indianapolis Colts Fans Worried by QB Anthony Richardson’s Preseason Performance

In a practice that is becoming less common around the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts played their starters, including QB Anthony Richardson, in the last preseason game before the beginning of the regular season.

Richardson started hot but struggled to finish against the Cincinnati Bengals backups, leaving Colts fans concerned about what the 2024 season could bring.

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson started fast

On the first drive, likely with a scripted set of plays from head coach Shane Steichen, Richardson lit up the Bengals defense.

The former Florida Gators star only threw one incomplete pass en route to throwing for seven completions, 65 passing yards, a passing touchdown and a 140.1 passer rating.

Richardson capped off the drive with a throw to rookie Adonai Mitchell for the rookie’s first-ever NFL touchdown. A perfectly placed ball allowed Mitchell to catch the ball in stride as he came across the field on a mesh concept.

Thought Anthony Richardson struggled with his quick-game timing a week ago. He was decisive and efficient to start this game. Nicely delivered a YAC-friendly ball to Adonai Mitchell running the underneath drag on Mesh. https://t.co/Sdf4K5P2Ch

— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) August 23, 2024

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson struggled after the first drive

After an extremely successful first of five series, Richardson began to struggle against the Cincinnati backups.

After starting the game with just one incompletion and a touchdown, Richardson proceeded to regress to the mean. After the first drive, Richardson went 1 for 6 with just 21 passing yards, a sack and an interception.

While Richardson was mostly playing against backups, he threw an interception to projected defensive back starter Jordan Battle. Battle then returned the interception for a touchdown, evening the score of the game.

Jordan Battle pick six off AR pic.twitter.com/WBYbOGtXcF

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 23, 2024

The throw wasn’t particularly difficult or risky, but a mistimed throw in that situation almost certainly results in a touchdown going the other way. On the surface it’s a short, quick-hitting and high-percentage throw. In any situation, it could easily result in a defender with the ball in his hands and no one in front of him.

It was a great play on the ball by Battle, who was one of the highest-graded rookies in 2023, but Richardson will have to play more conservatively to avoid such mistakes as the regular season begins. Richardson knows he has to play within himself, as he mentioned in an article from HorseshoeHeroes.

“The old me, I used to always try to be Superman,” Richardson said, “I’m trying to make every play. . . Playing in the NFL, I feel like, is easier than in college. In college, you got players that are good, they know they’re good, but they’re not as confident. They’ve got to rely on other players to do this for them to do that. But in the league, everybody is trying to work to stay in the league and try to keep their job.

“So everybody is trying to ball out. That just let me know I ain’t gotta do too much,” he added. “I’m going to do my job and he’s going to do his job, and it’s going to work.”

Richardson’s latter portion of his preseason showing saw him finish with a 39.5 passer rating after starting with a 140.1 passer rating.

Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s preseason performance started a dialogue

After seeing how Richardson performed during his five series against the Bengals, many fans are starting to become concerned about what he will be able to do in the regular season.

Richardson was only able to play in four games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, so many fans still struggle to come up with a conclusion on what kind of QB Richardson will be in the NFL. He showed bright spots last season, but it wasn’t enough to convince some people.

He had 577 yards passing, three touchdowns and an interception on a 59.5% completion rate in four games. With a rushing upside, many fans thought Richardson could come in and lead the Colts to a playoff berth immediately.

Now, like an unproven rookie, there is a lot of stock being put into Richardson’s preseason performance. A lot of Colts fans hold out hope for Richardson, but many were concerned by his preseason showing.

Anthony Richardson against the Bengals 3rd string defense pic.twitter.com/FxxLscArOL

— Artist Formerly Known as Derrick Henry’s Stiff Arm (@traviebird00) August 23, 2024

Anthony Richardson what are you doing 😭pic.twitter.com/PgPLkcukkz

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 23, 2024

Bengals Defense trashing Anthony Richardson all week just for him to dog walk them first drive… 😅 pic.twitter.com/aYvQ5ikwpN

— betr (@betr) August 23, 2024

daniel jones after that anthony richardson preseason pick 6 pic.twitter.com/OgdfrPTaZU

— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) August 23, 2024

That’s definitely on the TE no?😂

— Tyson Blanchard (@TysonBlanchard5) August 23, 2024

Richardson will be trying to lead a team that was one play away from the playoffs with Gardner Minshew at the helm for the majority of the season in 2023. The AFC South is no longer an easy division with Stroud and Lawrence, so Richardson will have his work cut out for him in 2024.

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