Colts WR shares how Anthony Richardson improved after abbreviated rookie season

The Indianapolis Colts named then-rookie Anthony Richardson their starting quarterback roughly 12 months ago but then watched as he made just four starts before he was sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury.

Despite that lack of playing time, veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. believes Richardson is more of a locker-room leader now than he was during his first pro preseason.

"I’ve seen him become more vocal," Pittman said about Richardson, as shared by Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated. "I’ve seen him become more comfortable taking on that role. It is hard for a rookie to come in here and be a shot-caller because maybe he feels he hasn’t done enough or something like that . But we give him that confidence letting him know that this is his team and we’re going to go as far as he takes us."

There remain way more questions than answers regarding how far Richardson can take the Colts considering he attempted only 84 regular-season passes as a rookie and missed time with a concussion before he went down with the shoulder issue. The Colts have made it clear they want to find the right balance of keeping Richardson safe while also punishing defenses with his rushing talents, and it's also hoped that star running back Jonathan Taylor can make life easier for the second-year pro this coming fall.

Taylor missed the first four contests of the 2023 season before he signed a three-year, $42M contract extension that included $26.5M guaranteed. Richardson hurt his shoulder early into Taylor's return to game action last October.

"Our division got good fast," Pittman acknowledged about the AFC South that features media darlings the Houston Texans, a Jacksonville Jaguars team looking to bounce back from a brutal collapse and a Tennessee Titans side that has a breakout-season candidate in quarterback Will Levis. "People used to say we have an easy division, and now it’s one of the most competitive. ...We have to get better too."

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts at +140 betting odds to make the playoffs this coming season. Richardson staying healthy would likely help Indianapolis stay in postseason conversations through at least Christmas.