Earlier this week, reports emerged that Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was benched in part due to concerns about his commitment to the starting role, as noted by Colts head coach Shane Steichen. However, ESPN’s Stephen Holder revealed that Richardson had since been putting in more preparation at the facility, earning him a return to the starting lineup ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Richardson’s performance on Sunday demonstrated his progress. The second-year quarterback from Florida completed 20 of 30 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown. He also added two rushing touchdowns and 32 yards on the ground, leading the Colts to a thrilling 28-27 comeback victory.
The Colts built an early 13-point lead in the second quarter, but the Jets rallied to take an eight-point lead in the fourth. Richardson responded with two impressive 70-yard touchdown drives, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs to cut the deficit and a decisive four-yard touchdown run to secure the win.
This marked Richardson’s first career fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive, a pivotal moment for the young quarterback. His 66.6% completion rate was a personal best in games where he attempted more than 12 passes.
Sunday’s performance is exactly what the Colts envisioned when they selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The benching may have served as a turning point, pushing Richardson to embrace the franchise quarterback role. Now at 5-6, the Colts face a tough challenge next week against the 9-1 Detroit Lions, who are coming off a 52-point performance against the Jaguars. This matchup will test Richardson’s growth.
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