The Colts’ backup quarterback battle is already taking shape, and it has Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard locked into the kind of early camp fight that can swing on every rep.
Head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that the two quarterbacks will rotate series with the second-team offense, and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter made it clear after Thursday’s practice that the race is still wide open. He called it “neck and neck.”
So far, the numbers are close, too. Through two practices, Richardson has gone 8-for-10 passing, according to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports. Even with the completions, Arthur noted on Day 2 that Richardson’s “timing and anticipation were hard to come by.”
Leonard has been right there with him. He’s 5-for-8 passing over the two days, and both quarterbacks have thrown one interception. Arthur also said they’re each “holding onto the ball too long.”
For Steichen and Cooter, the evaluation is about more than just completion percentage or a clean stat line. Cooter laid out the standard plainly when asked what the staff is looking for in this competition.
“We're looking for guys that can move the offense, guys that can move the team and potentially win games when needed,” Cooter said, via Colts.com. “... (And) generally doing that by playing really good football at a consistent level.”
Richardson’s trade request is still hanging over the situation, and while a move remains possible, Colts general manager Chris Ballard has made it clear the team won’t simply hand him away.
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What pulled him back, by his own account, was his children, and that kind of motivation can matter as much as anything on a practice field. It also helps that Ward has started well alongside Sauce Gardner, giving the Colts a cornerback pairing worth watching closely as camp unfolds. Wards play last season showed he can still hold up against top competition, allowing completions on 57% of the targets sent his way while breaking up seven passes in seven games. [Read more 🡒]