Ahead of his rookie season, Anthony Richardson had to win the Indianapolis Colts' starting job in a quarterback competition.
Heading into an even more pivotal third season, Richardson will have to win another QB battle.
It's a situation -- messy as it might be two seasons removed from being taken No. 4 overall -- that Richardson is embracing.
"Competition brings the best out of you," Richardson said Tuesday, via the team website, after reporting to Indy's voluntary offseason program. "That's just how life works, you just gotta compete and get better because somebody to the right, left or in front of you is trying to out-work you and be better than you. Competition, I love it."
Richardson's yet to show his best self or live up to expectations, which led to Colts general manager Chris Ballard and Co. signing former New York Giants first-round pick Daniel Jones in a move to challenge Richardson.
Richardson's first two seasons have been abbreviated by injuries and a 2024 benching. He's played in 15 of a potential 34 games (four in 2023, 11 last season), completing a problematic 50.6% of his passes for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while rushing for 10 scores and 645 yards.
His accuracy, taking himself out of a game last season due to fatigue and injury woes have added up to the Colts questioning his status as their franchise QB.
Any critiques are only fuel to Richardson's fire, though.
"I definitely don't take it personal," Richardson said. "I definitely love working, I love getting better, so whenever there's an opportunity for me to go and chase that, why not do it."
Still only 22, Richardson, who appeared in just 24 games at Florida in three seasons, was viewed as a developmental product coming out of the draft. He really hasn't had all that much time to grow with Indy, but the NFL moves quickly.
Jones had six seasons with the Giants after he was taken sixth overall in 2019. Coined "Danny Dimes," he did well out of the gates in replacing Eli Manning, but he struggled over the years with different coaches coming and going and, like Richardson, with injuries. He was released last year and picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. He's landed in Indy with a chance at a starting role.
Jones can also provide a learning experience for Richardson in regard to dealing with the peaks and valleys that come with being a first-round QB who doesn't find the NFL is all bliss in the early going.
"The main thing I want to learn from him is how to navigate the pressure of everything, how to navigate when things aren't going the best, how you stay with it and stay focused and just keep grinding, and also how to work," Richardson said. "He's a smart guy, so I'm looking forward to just learning everything that he has to offer and just getting better as a team."
Richardson's third NFL campaign is five months away. He's still got a QB competition to win, but for now he's saying the right things and heading into another battle for his job with the right mindset.
"Everybody can look at the situation differently. I would just like to say I'm blessed," Richardson said. "I still have an opportunity to be in the NFL, I still have an opportunity to go out there and compete and win the job for the team. So, I'm just blessed. I'm excited to continue to work -- it kind of feels like I just got drafted again. I'm just excited to be here."
