The first day of Colts training camp at Grand Park opened with heightened anticipation for Anthony Richardson’s third NFL season. But instead of a commanding performance from the former No. 4 overall pick, Richardson turned in an uneven outing that sparked early questions about his readiness—and whether the quarterback battle in Indianapolis is more real than expected.
Richardson went just 4-for-11 in 11-on-11 drills, struggling with accuracy and anticipation issues that date back to his rookie year. While drops from receivers like Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin, and Jonathan Taylor affected his numbers, several off-target throws—including on comeback routes to rookie Adonai Mitchell—raised concerns.
A near-interception by Alex Johnson during a winless 7-on-7 stretch further highlighted the rust. Richardson did complete passes to Pittman, Alec Pierce, and rookie Anthony Gould, flashing his arm talent at times, but the offense lacked rhythm overall.
That inconsistency comes with important context. The 23-year-old is still recovering from right shoulder surgery that ended his 2023 season, and soreness sidelined him during parts of minicamp this spring. The Colts have implemented a load management plan to ease him back into full participation without risking setbacks.
“We want him to get all the team reps, so you might not see him throw some individual reps,” head coach Shane Steichen explained.
Richardson also revealed to Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons that he dropped 10 pounds over the offseason—down to 240—to increase mobility, following guidance from the Colts’ medical staff. “I just had to listen to the medical team,” he said. “It’s not unusual for me. I was disappointed, but I had to be smart.”
Meanwhile, the arrival of Daniel Jones has added real urgency to the quarterback competition. The seventh-year veteran, acquired from the Giants this offseason, had a more efficient day, going 6-for-7 in 11-on-11s and connecting with Gould on a 30-yard strike. Jones also split team reps evenly with Richardson, though he did throw a 7-on-7 interception to Kenny Moore II.
Speaking to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Richardson acknowledged the battle without deflecting. “Of course I’m competing with Daniel, but I’m also competing with myself,” he said. “Trying to be a better version of myself than I was last year.”
There’s no set timeline for naming a starter. Steichen has emphasized the importance of consistency, while general manager Chris Ballard urged patience, citing developmental curves for other young quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
Richardson’s ceiling remains one of the highest in the league. Fan support was evident despite the rough day, and the franchise continues to invest in his progression—especially on intermediate accuracy and decision-making.
So should Colts fans be worried? Not yet. It’s only the first day of camp, and rust was expected after months of recovery and a limited offseason. But if the inconsistencies linger into the later part of August, Jones’ steadier hand could gain traction.