Mike Florio: Colts rookie Anthony Richardson 'flashed superstar potential'

Take a quick look at the box score from Saturday’s preseason game against the Bills, and the word “superstar” doesn’t really jump to your mind when you talk about Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.

But NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio believes the former Florida star could be just that. He saw serious potential from Richardson in Saturday’s 23-19 loss, so much that he believes he might eventually be the top quarterback from the 2023 NFL Draft.

Florio talked about how Richardson looked on the field — not the numbers. The ex-Gator completed 7-of-12 passes for 67 yards with an interception and no touchdowns. He carried the ball twice for seven yards.

“He has a very strong arm and a lightning-fast release,” Florio wrote. “As noted on Monday’s PFT Live, Richardson’s first-drive interception was a missile delivered flat-footed and falling backward with a flick of the wrist, which came as he rushed in the face of a blitz from a defensive back lined up in the slot.

“The Colts will need to give Richardson the kind of coaching any young quarterback needs in order to reach his ceiling. Richardson’s ceiling seems to be high. Very high.”

Richardson’s interception came on the first possession of the game and his third NFL throw. We can chalk that up to some rookie jitters — and poor offensive line play. After that, he seemed to settle down and had more control of the offense.

Florio isn’t alone in his analysis of the former Florida star. While head coach Shane Steichen would be reluctant to tab the rookie as a “superstar in the making,” he was pleased with how his quarterback handled his first pro game.

“I thought he had great poise,” Steichen said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “I knew we had the early interception. That’s my fault. We’ve got to do a better job communicating on that one. … That starts with coaching, starts with myself. Other than that, I thought he was efficient.”

It was only one game and there’s a long way to go before Richardson even cements himself as the permanent starter in Indianapolis. But Florida liked what he saw from the rookie. And he believes there’s a bright future ahead for the Colts.

“With patience, there could be quite a payoff,” Florio wrote. “Richardson could become one of the best quarterbacks in the league — perhaps better than the two quarterbacks picked in front of him, Bryce Young of the Panthers and C.J. Stroud of the Texans.”