The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback battle is shaping up to be just as rough as the one in Cleveland. Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones are among the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the league. Richardson has all the potential in the world, but some of the decisions he makes on the field are highly questionable.
Booger McFarland believes that if Richardson can stay healthy enough to hold the starting role, that’s the best-case scenario for the Colts.
“I think if you’re the coach, you want it to be Anthony Richardson, because if Daniel Jones beats out Anthony Richardson, that would almost be like (ESPN NFL insider) Dan Graziano beat me in a foot race,” McFarland said. “It just shouldn’t happen, but stranger things have happened. I think if you’re (Colts GM) Chris Ballard and you took Anthony Richardson where you took him, you want his development — number one, so he could be healthy — number two, so he can be your franchise quarterback.”
Richardson has received some harsh evaluations. Bruce Arians, for one, didn't think he was ready to be drafted in the first place. If Richardson wants to secure his future in Indianapolis, now is the time to put it all together.
“So, if there was ever a time for Richardson to put the pieces together in his development as a pro quarterback, now is certainly the moment to present that before he finds himself at risk of losing his starting job,” Sports Illustrated’s Jared Koch wrote.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski has even suggested the Colts consider trading for Kirk Cousins.
“If Richardson is not ready for the start of training camp and experiences any kind of setback, the Colts should reassess the situation because a lot is riding on this season. Ballard and Steichen could well be entering a make-or-break campaign. Would they rather have Jones or Cousins trying to save their jobs? The answer seems obvious, even if Indianapolis needs to take on a chunk of the latter's contract and likely surrender a future asset in return,” Sobleski wrote.
Cousins has recently voiced his frustration with the Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr., which suggests tensions may be rising in Atlanta. For the Colts, acquiring Cousins would mean getting a quarterback who’s clearly eager to start.
