Indianapolis Colts announce rookie QB Anthony Richardson as one of 7 team captains

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson reached a big milestone in his NFL career before the season has even begun. On Thursday, Colts first-year head coach Shane Steichen announced Richardson was one of seven captains this season.

It’s a big vote of confidence in Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and the Week 1 starter for the Colts. He’s the only rookie selected as a captain for the Colts.

The other captains for the 2023 Colts are DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, Ryan Kelly, Shaquille Leonard, Kenny Moore II and Quenton Nelson.

It didn’t take long for Richardson to earn starter status for the Colts

Steichen came to the determination that Richardson, the team’s No. 4 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, was ready following a training camp battle with Gardner Minshew and his performance in the preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills in early August.

“Anthony’s just been progressing,” Steichen said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “The growth he’s shown. Then, obviously, going into Buffalo, playing against a lot of their starters, he showed great signs of improvement. I like the things he did, and it’s an opportunity now for him to get a lot more with the [starters] moving forward, and we go from there.”

In one quarter of preseason action in the 23-19 defeat to the Bills, Richardson completed 7-of-12 passes for 67 yards and an interception. Though that was enough for Steichen to name him the starter for Week 1 of the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 10, Richardson said he was “shocked” to be given the QB1 status this early.

“Honestly, I was shocked,” Richardson said. “I’ve been grinding. [Been] putting in the work to try to get the title, but it’s not really all about the title. I’m just trying to make sure I’m ready for the team. Despite being labeled as QB1 I’ve still got other guys in that room helping me to get to that standard. I’m forever thankful for them.”

Just 21 years old, Richardson admitted the announcement was a lot to process for him.

“Just hearing the words,” Richardson said. “You work for it, [but] you didn’t know when the timeline was going to be,” he said. “I was just looking forward to Week 1… Just being ready for the opportunity and getting thrown in the fire hopefully. But then he told me, and I’m like, ‘Wow, it really happened.’ So, I’m thankful. I’m blessed, and now, you’ve got to keep building on this opportunity.”