Insider shares how Colts' Anthony Richardson has improved from rookie year

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson made just four starts as a rookie last season before he was sidelined with a campaign-ending shoulder injury.

For a piece published Sunday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted how Richardson has improved from where he was in his development roughly 12 months ago.

"Richardson’s progress has been pretty significant on the mental side—which is what you’d hope for given the steep learning curve he faced coming from Florida last year," Breer explained. "In particular, the coaches have looked for him to make strides in communication and command at the line, and they’ve been creative in drilling that home by having longer walkthroughs in the early evenings with lots of snaps baked in."

Richardson recorded just 13 college starts while with the Florida Gators but was named Indianapolis' Week 1 starter last September. He was then shaken up during his NFL regular-season debut before he suffered a concussion in Week 2.

Despite the physical setbacks that Richardson endured as a first-year pro, Colts head coach Shane Steichen and team owner Jim Irsay have insisted this summer they don't want to limit how often the 22-year-old looks to make plays with his legs.

"It’s accelerated where Richardson is in his development, for sure, and one area where it’s really showing in his ability to make checks at the line," Breer added. "He needs to stay healthy, of course, but there’s plenty of reason to be excited about where the fourth pick in the 2023 draft is in how he’s taking ownership of the offense."

Richardson largely remains an unknown product as a pro considering he attempted only 84 regular-season passes before the shoulder problem made him a spectator. Breer said on Sunday that the Colts "feel really good about where they are and the shot they have to catch" the reigning division champion Houston Texans in the AFC South race, but Indianapolis will need Richardson to make more than a few highlight-reel plays to compete for a postseason berth.

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Richardson fourth among the betting favorites at +600 odds to claim the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the upcoming season.