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AFC South: Why Anthony Richardson And Shane Steichen Can Win Division For Colts In 2023

By Hunter Haas

Shane Steichen, center, poses for photos with Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay, left, and General Manager Chris Ballard after a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 announcing that Steichen is the new Indianapolis Colts Head Coach.Shane Steichen Is The New Indianapolis Colts Head Coach
Shane Steichen, center, poses for photos with Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay, left, and General Manager Chris Ballard after a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 announcing that Steichen is the new Indianapolis Colts Head Coach.Shane Steichen Is The New Indianapolis Colts Head Coach /
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June 14, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) works through footwork drills Wednesday, June 14, 2023, during mandatory minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Anthony Richardson Is The Real Deal

Make no mistake; Anthony Richardson will be the reason the Colts make the postseason if they do in 2023. He mans the most important position on the field and has the talent to be a needle-mover for the unit. With his exciting brand of football comes some risk, as the 21-year-old has minimal on-field experience under his belt.

The good news? Shane Steichen is familiar with developing gifted signal-callers, ranging from pocket passers like Justin Herbert to dual-threat quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts. Richardson is a mix of both traits-wise, but the mental part of the game is what sets apart the good from the great.

Thankfully for Colts fans, Richardson is as intuitive as he is athletic. Some NFL Draft pundits believe the former Florida Gator is raw as a passer, which is true, but don’t let that trick you into thinking he cannot produce as a rookie. Ideally, Richardson will learn the scheme quickly and impact the game with his legs and arm.

The offensive line must bounce back after a down year by its standards. Richardson’s underrated ability to look off defenders, backed up by an effective run game, will have defenses fearing a matchup with Indy. How far the Colts go in 2023 depends entirely on Steichen’s play calling and Richardson’s development.

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