Anthony Richardson Inks Rookie Contract

The Indianapolis Colts have successfully completed all contract negotiations with their 2023 draft class, ensuring that all 12 members will be signed and ready for the start of training camp on Wednesday.

The final signing to seal the deal was rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth an impressive $33.99 million. His agent, Deiric Jackson, revealed that Richardson will receive a hefty $21.72 million signing bonus upfront, along with the customary fifth-year team option given to all first-round picks in the NFL.

The announcement of Richardson's deal came shortly after the Colts also inked contracts with second-round cornerback JuJu Brents and fourth-round offensive tackle Blake Freeland. Brents secured a four-year deal, estimated at around $8.2 million, while Freeland's contract is expected to be approximately $4.6 million over four years.

The smooth resolution of these contract negotiations was anticipated, given the rarity of rookie holdouts in recent years. The league has seen few high-profile holdouts since then, with one notable exception being Chargers' defensive end Joey Bosa, whose stalemate lasted deep into August.

For the Colts, having all their rookies ready for training camp was crucial, particularly for their prized first-round quarterback, Anthony Richardson. The team's owner, Jim Irsay, has been vocal throughout the offseason about the importance of Richardson's development on the field, a sentiment echoed by the new Colts head coach, Shane Steichen, on draft night.

However, despite the optimism surrounding Richardson's potential, a recent ranking by Pro Football Focus (PFF) has raised some eyebrows. PFF rated all 32 starting quarterbacks in the league, placing Richardson at the bottom of the list. This ranking has sparked debates and concerns among fans and analysts alike.

PFF's assessment points out that Richardson's college performance in the SEC was less than stellar, with an overall grade of 80.3, ranking 38th in the nation. His rushing ability propped up his grade, which will need to continue as he transitions to the NFL. The article acknowledges that Richardson has landed with a head coach, Shane Steichen, who successfully developed Jalen Hurts, utilizing his limitless athleticism while honing his passing skills.

While the ranking might seem harsh, it reflects genuine concerns about Richardson's readiness to take on the starting quarterback role immediately. Many experts believed that Richardson's best-case scenario would involve joining a team with an experienced veteran quarterback to guide his development. Gardner Minshew, who was acquired by the Colts, is sharing first-team reps with Richardson during summer OTAs, but it remains uncertain if he can keep Richardson on the bench in the long run.

The Colts are hopeful that Richardson will make significant strides during the offseason, evolving into a confident and effective starting quarterback. However, the reality is that starting a rookie quarterback with limited experience could pose challenges and might not yield immediate success.