Colts HC Shane Steichen weighs in on season-ending decision for rookie QB Anthony Richardson

Colts coach Shane Steichen wanted to make sure that Anthony Richardson, his disappointed rookie quarterback, understood the big picture. Longevity is what matters.

That’s why Richardson and the Colts decided it was best for the quarterback to have surgery to fix his shoulder rather than relying solely on rest and rehab. But the surgery means that Anthony Richardson is out for the remainder of the season.

Indy owner Jim Irsay announced the news, Wednesday morning. Then Steichen spoke with the media about the decision.

“This is the best thing for him and this franchise moving forward so we can get him healthy for next season,” Steichen told reporters. “You take a guy fourth overall, a tremendous competitor, a great player, the longevity of him needs to be at a premium.”

The coach believes there’s a good chance Richardson will be available for spring workouts.

Anthony Richardson isn’t only ailing quarterback in NFL

We’re coming up on mid-season. And Anthony Richardson isn’t the only quarterback in the league who is ailing. The Jaguars don’t know whether Trevor Lawrence can play this week. Same for the Bears and Justin Fields. The Bills are worried about Josh Allen and his shoulder. But he was going to practice, Wednesday. Over in Cleveland, the Browns are trying to heal Deshaun Watson and his shoulder. And the Giants are concerned for Daniel Jones and his neck. Of course, Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles early in the Jets season opener.

Including Richardson, there were three quarterbacks drafted amongst the top four picks. Two of the three have missed games because of injuries. (Bryce Young is the other).

There are questions on whether Anthony Richardson’s physical style of play invites more injuries. After all, if you run more, you get hit more. Richardson is a prime example. He started four games. Yet he couldn’t finish three of them because of injuries. He also missed a game because of a concussion. Steichen said it’s a conversation. But it’s not an immediate topic.

“We’ll cross that bridge next year when we get there,” Steichen said. “But again, one of the things that makes him really good is [he’s] a runner, and a lot of those guys around the league that run and make plays, that’s what helps your offense. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The Colts now will turn over the offense to Gardner Minshew, the former Washington State star who ran an offense created by the late Mike Leach. Indy signed Minshew in March. He started his career with the Jaguars, then signed with the Eagles in 2021. Overall, he’s started 26 career games, including two with the Colts following an Anthony Richardson injury.