Anthony Richardson’s third preseason game with the Colts comes with a different kind of pressure attached to it.
On the surface, Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions is just another August tune-up. But Richardson has a real shot to lock down QB2 behind Daniel Jones, and he doesn’t even need a masterpiece to do it. Riley Leonard has not been impressive in camp or in the preseason, which gives Richardson a clear opening.
There’s another layer here, too. Richardson may not just be auditioning for a backup role in Indianapolis.
He could also be putting himself in front of other teams that may eventually need a quarterback. If that kind of opportunity is out there, this is the sort of stage where he has to show something.
The setup against Detroit should help. Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren could all sit out to avoid injury or worsening existing issues, but Richardson is expected to work behind the first-team offensive line.
That’s a major shift from earlier preseason action, when he was protected by presumed backups, just like Leonard. The results have not been pretty, but Indianapolis’ starters are considered one of the better offensive lines in the league.
If Richardson comes up short, it won’t be because he lacked help up front.
Head coach Shane Steichen said the starters may only get a series or two, roughly 8-12 plays, though those snaps could all come in the first quarter while Richardson is on the field. Leonard is set for the second quarter, and Easton Stick will handle the second half. Stick, as the source material puts it, looks more like a practice squad candidate than someone headed for the active roster.
Richardson should have enough chances to operate in rhythm, find receivers and use his legs on designed runs. The athleticism is still there, and it can make him dangerous.
The issue has been whether the rest of his game can hold up. Against the Lions, he has a chance to show he can run an offense.
That said, there is no path for him to do that in Indianapolis right now, with Jones installed as the starter.
The trade request Richardson made to the Colts soon after last season still has not been withdrawn. So far, no team has stepped forward with the kind of draft compensation Chris Ballard would be looking for, though that could change as the season unfolds and injuries hit other quarterbacks around the league.
For Richardson, this feels like one more test of whether he has grown into a player ready to be trusted as a field general entering year four. If a team out there wants one last evaluation before making a move, Sunday is the chance to get it. And for Indianapolis, the hope is simple: he plays well enough to matter, but not so well that the Colts have to think about using him in the regular season as long as Daniel Jones stays healthy.
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