Anthony Richardson Has Gone From Worst Quarterback You've Ever Seen To Prime Cam Newton In 3 Weeks Time

I will refrain from harping on the fact that at this time last week, Colts fans were adamant that Shane Steichen had already singlehandedly destroyed Anthony Richardson's career. That his confidence would never be able to recover from a 2-week mid season benching. I won't even suggest that 2 weeks on the bench was maybe even extremely beneficial to the development of the 22-year old QB who still hasn't played a full season's worth of football. That was a tumultuous few weeks for Colts fans. We all said some things we might regret. 

But that's all behind us now. The Colts have defeated the now 2-8 New York City Jets. Which means we can all come together as one, and agree on the fact that Anthony Richardson is back on track for a Hall of Fame career full of many, many Super Bowls. The Great Colts Dynasty of the Late 2020's-2030's is surely upon us. 

If there's been a more volatile quarterback in the history of football, I'd love to hear about him. I'd love to watch that man's highlights. This year alone, Anthony Richardson has put up some of the worst performances I've ever seen from an NFL QB. However today, he was prime Cam Newton. It's a roller coaster ride unlike any other. But considering Richardson is coming off 2 weeks on the bench... and with the way he looked today both throwing and running the football... now more than ever Colts fans have reason to believe that what we saw today might actually be the real Anthony Richardson.

Throws that three weeks ago would have struck a child in the face sitting 12 rows up behind the end zone are now hitting his receivers in the numbers. 

He's running over defenders without breaking several bones in his body all at once.

He's scrambling around in the backfield, dragging defenders with him for 10 yards to avoid a sack, and still having enough energy to get back to the huddle and run the next play.

He's completing throws that if Patrick Mahomes had completed would have resulted in ESPN throwing him an actual parade.

And at the end of the game, when the Colts' backs are against the wall, he marches the team down the field without breaking a god damn sweat. He won the damn game.

The talent he has is undeniable. That's never been in question. Anthony Richardson is so damn fun to watch when he puts it all together. So much promise. So many plays that make you think he's the real deal future of the Colts' franchise. He was damn near perfect today. Will he be able to stay healthy? Will he be able to continue playing at this level, and not regress back to mistaking his wide receivers for giraffes? That remains to be seen. But what today showed us is that Anthony Richardson does have it in him. He's fully capable of being a top tier starting QB in the NFL if 1) His body holds up, and 2) He stays right mentally.

You can say that about a lot of quarterbacks. And it's fucking hard to do both of those things consistently in the NFL. But Richardson clearly has the tools to be everything the Colts thought he could be when they drafted him.