The second-year quarterback has had difficulties with his passing game to start his sophomore season, but his running ability is helping him stay afloat.
Anthony Richardson appears to be facing challenges as a passer since returning from a season-ending injury that sidelined him for most of his rookie year. His durability is once again under scrutiny following an oblique injury that emerged during the Colts’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading him to miss the team’s subsequent two games.
Richardson’s rushing ability is arguably his most impressive asset. Colts head coach Shane Steichen remarked in training camp about managing Richardson’s rushing to reduce hits and maintain his health, likening it to asking, “Are you going to limit Steph Curry from shooting 3s?”
Upon his return, Steichen dialed up more designed runs for Richardson than he’d previously seen, and Richardson ended the day as the team’s leading rusher, with a career-high 13 rush attempts (excluding kneel-downs).
Anthony Richardson had more than 10 rushes in a single game for the first time vs the Dolphins.
His 56 rushing yards on the day led all #Colts & matched his season-high. AR had 61 yds after contact & forced 4 missed tackles. He's gained 1st downs on 38.7% of carries this season. pic.twitter.com/O4EeMexPf5
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) October 24, 2024
These attempts included career-high numbers in both scrambles and designed rushes in a single game. Richardson scrambled five times in the Colts’ win over Miami, just one shy of his season total over the previous 3.5 games.
Not only has Richardson’s rushing helped mask his early struggles as a passer, but it’s also added a spark to the passing game. Coach Steichen and his staff are allowing Richardson to utilize his legs more effectively, and it’s already producing positive results overall.
How Richardson’s Legs Are Keeping Him From Drowning As A Passer
Anthony Richardson has had difficulty establishing a rhythm in the passing game in most of his games this season, with the Colts often trailing by two or more scores by the fourth quarter.
Despite this, his late-game efforts have sparked comebacks, showing his determination and resilience, even if they haven’t always secured the win. Ideally, Richardson would start strong, as he did against the Steelers in Week 4, although an injury cut that performance short.
Anthony Richardson was pressured on a career-high 60.0% of dropbacks in the #Colts win over the Dolphins but was not sacked on any of his 18 dropbacks under pressure per NFL Pro.
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) October 21, 2024
Richardson’s rushing ability brings a unique advantage to the Colts’ offense, whether through designed runs or scrambling to extend plays. His presence alone puts defenders in tough situations, especially in run fits. This will pose an even bigger challenge for defenses once star RB Jonathan Taylor returns.
Of course, Richardson has lots to work on in the passing department, but his rushing ability is a luxury that props him up as a QB.
There's a reason his 3rd-best in the NFL Pressure-to-Sack rate (10.8%) is highly regarded. Few QBs can turn this play into positive yardage. pic.twitter.com/0csZKt7dvM
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) October 24, 2024
While accuracy has been a point of struggle, Richardson has excelled in pocket awareness and sack avoidance. In his return game against the Dolphins, he demonstrated an impressive ability to evade pressure and prevent disastrous outcomes. Of the 18 pressures he faced, 12 came within 2.5 seconds, the highest quick pressure rate for a QB this season (40.0%).
His knack for turning near-sacks into positive plays is a rare talent, reflected in his third-place ranking in pressure-to-sack rate (10.8%) among quarterbacks, per Pro Football Focus. This resilience and adaptability have been crucial as he navigates the challenges of early NFL quarterback development.
A Glimpse At What Might Just Keep Richardson Afloat Amidst Development
Early in games, Richardson has faced challenges as a passer, especially in the initial stages of his professional career. Against the Dolphins, for example, he struggled significantly at first, only finding his rhythm as the third quarter was winding down.
What appeared to spark Richardson’s strong finish was an increase in designed runs, complementing his passing game. Before his fourth-quarter resurgence, which technically began late in the third quarter, Richardson had only two designed runs called. However, during his best stretch as a passer, he ran on five designed plays in the fourth quarter alone.
When asked if rushing success helps him settle down and become less erratic as a passer, Richardson said, “I don’t think it helps me calm down, I just think it opens up the routes more. I feel like it opens up the offense a little bit more for us because the defense has to play both sides of the ball.”
Whether or not it boosts his confidence, Richardson’s best passing sequence of the day saw him go 5-for-6 with 65 yards in the closing moments. Although his five designed fourth-quarter rushes gained only 10 yards, teammate Trey Sermon benefited from Richardson’s rhythm, contributing five runs for 31 yards (6.2 ypc) to help close out the game.
Moving Forward
While Richardson continues refining his skills as a passer, Steichen and the coaching staff should lean even more on his exceptional rushing ability. This might sound contradictory, especially since Richardson just posted a career-high in carries, but his performance illustrates how much higher his week-to-week potential can be when his unique running talent is fully tapped. At a minimum, it raises his floor enough to make him a no-brainer to keep in the starting lineup.
It’s true that Richardson’s history with injuries is a concern, but taking an overly cautious approach to protect him could unintentionally validate his critics. Richardson may be perceived as injury-prone, even though he has a strong, athletic build, but he could well be suited for the NFL; after all, he’s only 22 and still learning how to protect himself.
Richardson’s ability to break off a 50-yard run or escape multiple sacks to turn a potential disaster into a positive play is just one reason the franchise is placing its bets on him. Add to that his emerging gunslinger mentality, and it becomes clear why his potential is seen as both high-reward and high-risk.
One point that should be beyond debate, though, is the notion of benching Richardson if he struggles. We won’t truly understand his potential unless he’s given the time and opportunity to develop, and so far, he’s shown no reason to abandon that investment.
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