The Anthony Richardson experiment will last at least through the 2025 season Indianapolis Colts.

NFL NetworkIan Rapoport reports that the Colts are considering Richardson as the projected starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The Colts have been very impressed with the progress Richardson has made on and off the field since he was benched before Indy’s Week 9 game against the Colts Minnesota Vikings.

“Indy Brass was pleased with his response to the bench prior to Week 9 and how his attention to detail and preparation increased as a result,” Rapoport wrote.

Richardson has been key to the Colts’ 3-2 win since he was reinserted into the starting lineup. Whether on the ground or in the air, Richardson made plays and earned the Colts’ confidence that he can be their starter going forward. Last week was a perfect example of Richardson asserting himself in the clutch and making first downs with his arms and legs to thwart a comeback attempt Tennessee Titans.

“In last week’s win, with the game on the line, Richardson’s 10-yard pass to Michael Pittman on third-and-8 with two minutes left, essentially wiping out the game, was an example of the team trusted him and Richardson and delivered,” Rapoport said. “It was significant progress for all parties.”

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Giving Richardson another year as the Colts’ starting quarterback was always the right move and the most logical path for the team in 2025. Richardson is just 22 years old and is learning to play the position at the NFL level. Although he has shown tremendous flashes, there is still a lot for Richardson to improve on and the process to success was always going to be long for him.

This offseason will be crucial to Richardson’s development and future in Indy. Richardson can spend the offseason working on his fundamentals, improving his accuracy and gaining a better understanding of the game. The young quarterback wasn’t able to make much progress in those areas last offseason as he rehabbed his surgically repaired AC joint and worked to get back on the field for the Colts’ offseason program.

The Colts also have more experience with Richardson and a better understanding of how to get the most out of their quarterback. Head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter have used Richardson more as a runner since coming to the bench and have worked to give Richardson easy throws early in the game to get him into a rhythm.

For Richardson to be successful in 2025 and beyond, he will need to be in sync with Steichen and Cooter and have a clear vision of how the offense will operate. A successful offseason with improvements to his mechanics and accuracy combined with a better game plan for utilizing Richardson could see the former No. 4 establish himself as the Colts’ franchise quarterback going forward. Failure to do so could mean having to rebuild Richardson from the ground up in 2026.

Richardson will not play in today’s duel with him New York Giants and he’s been dealing with back spasms that have limited his movement and mobility all week. Joe Flacco will start in Richardson’s place and needs a win to keep the Colts’ playoff hopes alive.

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