The Indianapolis Colts endured an up-and-down season in 2023. A season-ending injury to franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson delayed the franchise’s developmental track, though they still managed to compete for a playoff spot in his absence. In 2024, the Colts hope Richardson stays healthy all year long while threatening for the AFC South title.
The last offseason brought significant changes to the Colts. Former head coach Frank Reich was fired midway through the 2022 campaign and ex-Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was appointed during the summer. With an offensive-minded leader in place, the Colts drafted Richardson, their next franchise QB, with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson’s rookie season flashed promise but was marred by recurring injuries. The former Florida standout suffered three separate injuries in just four appearances as a rookie. Knee and ankle soreness forced a momentary exit from a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richardson was then diagnosed with a concussion in Week 2 that sidelined him for the following contest. And finally, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Despite the disappointment of losing their rookie playmaker, the Colts trucked on impressively. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew kept the team competitive. In Steichen’s debut season, Indianapolis finished above .500 at 9-8, showcasing drastic improvement from the 4-12-1 record they posted in 2022. A Week 18 defeat to the Houston Texans prevented the Colts from entering the postseason.
Outside of Richardson's injury, it's hard to view 2023 as disappointing. Steichen revealed himself to be a quality hire and a deep Colts roster proved capable of remaining competitive even with a backup QB at the helm.
Expectations have been reset for 2024. A successful campaign begins with Richardson staying healthy for a complete season. The Colts prefer to refrain from entering next offseason with questions still surrounding whether their third-year quarterback is a legitimate face-of-the-franchise talent or not. If Richardson misses significant time for a second consecutive season, the dreaded "injury-prone" label will start being thrown around.
AR ➡️ AD pic.twitter.com/rTf8vsRGqd
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 14, 2024
Indianapolis' success without Richardson throughout 2023 also places high expectations on him and the team heading into 2024. Though the Colts may be satisfied with their campaign so long as the franchise quarterback remains healthy and productive (a long-term outlook), wouldn't it be slightly disappointing if that resulted in, say, a 7-10 record? Minshew's Colts shouldn't be more competitive than Richardson's version.
General manager Chris Ballard spent the offseason investing in Richardson's health and development. A new starting-caliber receiver has joined the offense in Adonai Mitchell via a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The follow-up selections were two offensive linemen, offensive tackle Matt Goncalves and center Tanor Bortolini. They both may be future starters, and another speedy weapon was later drafted in Anthony Gould. It’s all about getting Richardson to reach his ceiling.
There were several positive takeaways from the Colts' 2023 season. Ballard hired an absolute gem in Steichen and the roster was deep enough to sustain an injury to their quarterback. A successful 2024 campaign means Richardson stays healthy and produces franchise QB numbers while keeping the Colts alive in the postseason race.
No pressure.
