Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay answered a question that many of us had been wondering ever since the team made the selection of quarterback Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick.
With Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud off the board, it seemed like the easy choice for the Colts to make. But what if the Colts had their pick of the litter at the No. 1 overall spot?
Irsay told the media Saturday that Richardson probably would have been the choice regardless.
“We would’ve probably taken Anthony,” Irsay said when asked about that hypothetical situation.
It’s just another reason why Richardson has been the target all along for the Colts. With that said, Irsay did mention that the team would have likely gone with Kentucky’s Will Levis if Richardson wasn’t there. Levis wound up falling to the second round, eventually getting scooped up by the division-rival Tennessee Titans at No. 33 overall.
One of the biggest knocks on Richardson’s profile is his lack of experience. With just 13 starts at the collegiate level, Richardson needs to get reps. He neds to go through the growing pains on the field.
It’s an effort that Irsay will be pushing for even if the decision ultimately is up to new head coach Shane Steichen.
“You get better by playing,” Irsay said. “You know, that’s the biggest benefit from it. And at the same time, I have to say, our fans have to have patience because it’s hard being a rookie quarterback. It really is.”
Whether that will be Week 1 or halfway through the season isn’t clear, but we will see Richardson at some point during his rookie campaign.
The Colts have to feel pretty excited about the direction of the franchise and the potential Richardson brings along with him.
Now, it’s time to put the work in and get the No. 4 overall pick to reach that ceiling of an elite quarterback.
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