Indianapolis Colts reason for high optimism for 2024 revealed

The Indianapolis Colts narrowly missed the postseason in 2023, but the franchise has legitimate grounds for legitimate optimism that things will play out differently this fall.

Anthony Richardson, who the Colts are betting big, will quickly develop into a top franchise quarterback in this league, returning after a drastically shortened rookie campaign.

Richardson’s athleticism shone through despite playing in just four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

The Indianapolis Colts’ biggest reason for optimism: Anthony Richardson’s return

Before the upcoming season kicked off, Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman compiled a list of the biggest reasons for optimism for each NFL team in 2024, including Richardson’s return.

“With all due respect to Gardner Minshew who almost led the Colts to the playoffs last year,” Wasserman wrote for PFF. “The hopes of this team rest on the shoulders of Anthony Richardson. His right shoulder in particular will be closely monitored this season after undergoing surgery after Week 5 of last season. Richardson has all the athletic talent in the world, as well as a mastermind playcaller in Shane Steichen, but he must learn to protect himself on the field.

“The Colts have also done well to surround Richardson with the necessary weapons to succeed. Jonathan Taylor is a former rushing champion. Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell form a potentially dangerous receiving corps. The team has a top 10 offensive line. Richardson can excel in this environment.”

Indianapolis’ supporting cast is enough to make any franchise believe better days are ahead, especially because of Taylor and Pittman Jr. to support with University of Texas speedster Adonai Mitchell.

But as Wasserman notes, the Colts’ vision depends on Richardson.

“He’ll be a flash,” a rival AFC Scouting Director recently told me about Richardson. “A lot of good ones and some bad ones. My biggest concern for Richardson is whether he can be consistent.

“He will play some Josh Allen games, but also some Kyler Murray games.”

Before getting injured last season, Richardson completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 577 yards with three touchdowns to just one interception while adding 136 rushing yards and another four scores while averaging 5.4 yards per rushing attempt .

If Richardson can stay healthy, he could be a missing piece for the Colts as they make a legitimate run at the NFL Playoffs this fall.

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