Why the Colts shouldn’t worry about Anthony Richardson’s preseason struggles

The Colts' preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals last week showcased the full Anthony Richardson experience. 

He was dialed in on Indianapolis' opening drive, displaying complete command of Shane Steichen's offense. Richardson went 7-of-8 for 65 yards and a touchdown. 

But it was a rollercoaster the rest of the way. He completed just one of his final seven passes for 21 yards and an interception, a 14-yard pick-six, where there was an apparent miscommunication with tight end Kylen Granson. Many of Richardson's throws sailed too high. Others lacked touch. 

Oh, and the Bengals played their backups. 

The performance capped an underwhelming preseason for Richardson, who makes his return in 2024 after a rookie season in which he was limited to four games due to injuries. In seven preseason drives, last year's No. 4 overall pick completed just 55.6% of his passes for 111 yards and a touchdown with an interception, a fumble (recovered) and a subpar 69.4 passer rating. 

"Look, guys are going to miss throws. You know what I mean?" Steichen said after the Bengals game. "I don't care if you're a second-year player or a 15-year vet. Guys are going to miss throws, so I don't have any concerns with that." 

For some team observers, Richardson's inconsistency amplified concerns about his ability to be the franchise quarterback the Colts need him to be. They have a lot riding on his success (and health). 

Indianapolis is running it back with essentially the same cast of players as a year ago, the hope being that Richardson's return elevates the team to AFC contention. The Colts made just two outside free-agent signings (backups Joe Flacco and Raekwon Davis), a sharp contrast to their AFC South rivals, who aggressively bolstered