Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson played just four games during his rookie season until injuries sidelined him, but that was enough experience for him to decide that it is “easier” to approach the NFL game than the college one.
“Playing in the NFL, I feel like, is easier than in college,” he said during an appearance on Club 520 Podcast (23:55 mark).
“In college, you got players that are good, they know they’re good, but they’re not as confident. They’ve got to rely on other players to do this for them to do that. But in the league, everybody is trying to work to stay in the league and try to keep their job. So everybody is trying to ball out. That just let me know I ain’t gotta do too much. I’m going to do my job and he’s going to do his job, and it’s going to work.”
It should be noted that Richardson is not saying NFL defenses are easier to defeat than college ones. Rather, he can focus on what he knows he has to do instead of completely carrying the team on his back.
The University of Florida product will be under the spotlight in 2024 after Indianapolis selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft.
The AFC South team made him its quarterback of the future with that selection, but he was unable to prove himself over the course of an entire rookie season thanks to the injuries. That means he will be asked to take a jump in his second season without as much experience as some of the other quarterbacks in his draft class like C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young.
Richardson flashed his potential at times during his four games last season and completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while running for 136 yards and four touchdowns.
Indianapolis just missed the playoffs without him thanks in large part to an impressive performance from Gardner Minshew II, but the veteran quarterback is now on the Las Vegas Raiders.
That means the Colts’ 2024 outcome will likely depend on Richardson’s ability to live up to expectations.
Fortunately for the team and its fans, he believes there are some aspects of the game and preparation for a season that come easier than they did in college.