Is it too early to determine that Anthony Richardson may be a first round bust for the Indianapolis Colts? Can you pull the plug on a guy after two seasons who’s only played in 15 games and is only 23 years of age?

Richardson was drafted in the first round by the Colts 4th overall in the 2023 NFL draft from the University of Florida. How many chances to give a number one pick, especially the guys that play quarterback I’m thinking have nine lives in the NFL like Morris the cat? If Richardson was a fish and the field was his tank of water, he has been in and out multiple times for injuries or his poor play making him gasp for air and flop around. Suddenly Colts fans are having nightmares of one of their greatest quarterback busts in their history, Jeff George.

Jeff George was supposed to be the “real deal can’t miss” quarterback of the draft. The Colts selected George number 1 overall in the 1990 NFL draft out of University of Illinois. I watched him play for the Fighting Illini, and he had a cannon for an arm. George was born and raised in the state of Indiana so it seems like it was meant to be with the Colts hitting a home run on this pick. George would last 4 years in Indianapolis out of his 12 year career that featured stops in Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, and Washington. In 52 games over a 4 year span, George’s record as a starting QB for the Colts was 14-35 as he made 49 starts wearing the horseshoe on his helmet. George was simply a bad dude, not in a good way. He demanded to be traded. He would have arguments with coaches on the field wherever he played it seemed. He was not a good teammate on and off the field. A cancer in the locker room is putting it simply. He even made gestures in bad taste to fans in the stands. In 12 seasons he only had three winning seasons as a starter. He played in 131 NFL games in his career and as a starter he had a 46-78 record well below .500. He completed 57.9% of his passes and threw for 27,602 passing yards. He did throw 154 touchdown passes, but he a was gunslinger and threw 113 interceptions. This is a guy that had all the talent in the world but was too pig-headed to use these traits for good not evil purposes like the money and fame.

In two seasons, Anthony Richardson is strutting down Jeff George lane, but he is not the asshole the former University of Illinois quarterback was. Richardson only played in 24 college games. Basically he became the starter his last season on the college gridiron. Every team knew he was going to be a project that they had to mold into a true NFL quarterback. His athleticism is top notch. I’m not sure why the Colts even played him in the very first season he was drafted. You could make a case for him sitting on the sideline for one full season which could help his development. Patrick Mahomes sat most of his first season as he got action in a meaningless game at the end of the season for the Chiefs, who had their playoff position that year settled. Last season, Richardson completed only 47.7% of his passes. He tallied 1,814 passing yards in 11 games. He threw 8 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions. Surprisingly he went 6-5 as the starter for the Colts last year. In two seasons he has an 8-7 record as a starter. He has completed once again only 50.6% of his passes which is very bad. He has tallied up 2,291 passing yards. He has 11 touchdown strikes to 13 interceptions.

This season the Colts are going with another bad quarterback as their opening day starter – Former Giants QB Daniel Jones. Jones has one winning season under his belt in six seasons. Jones is a former first round pick by the Giants in the 2019 NFL draft as he was selected 6th overall. His starting record as a QB is horrific as his record is 24-44. His completion rating is much better than Anthony Richardson’s over his career at 64.1%. Jones has thrown 70 touchdown passes compared to 47 interceptions. This looks like an upgrade on paper. Jones will be looking to prove something after being dumped by the Giants. He is a better option giving the Colts a balanced offense. He can utilize all the talented receivers the Colts have as well. At which Richardson had problems. The Colts have a star running back in Jonathan Taylor. With Richardson, the opposing defenses can key on Taylor and Taylor only. Last year the Colts offense thrived with Joe Flacco behind center.

Will the Colts consider trading Anthony Richardson? Being athletic is not always the recipe at being a true quarterback in the NFL. You know in this league some coach is licking their chops to coach Richardson and mold him into a QB. Richardson has been in and out of the water so much he may be scarred right now being a back up in Indianapolis. He may need new scenery to develop. He may be a bust right now but a guy that is a late bloomer down the road like Sam Darnold. I believe he will have more chances like 9 lives, a number one pick gets compared to a 7th rounder. Present day in the NFL they expect these quarterbacks to establish themselves right away thrown to the wolves. Some can swim right away, but most cannot as teams move on quickly. I’m not feeling sorry for the Colts as they had legends behind center like Peyton Manning, who won them a Superbowl. They had Andrew Luck who was a solid QB for years for the Colts. Right now Richardson is on Jeff George Boulevard in his Colts career. Not with the bad attitude. George was able to at least complete passes down the middle of the field where Richardson will run more. He will get hit more in the open field. He will take on more injuries and eventually most running QB’s that can’t throw the ball with accuracy have a short shelf life in the NFL.