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Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Indianapolis Colts add even more to offensive cast to help QB Anthony Richardson

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Suzanne Halliburton | Last updated 5/2/24

As Anthony Richardson‘s shoulder got healthier, the Colts made sure their young quarterback would have many potent offensive options this fall.

There are quality receivers and running backs. The offensive line is solid. All the Colts need is for Richardson to take his spot under center in an official game to see the team turn around its fate. It’s what you do for a top-four quarterback pick in the draft as he approaches his second season.

In fact, coach Shane Steichen found himself answering questions about whether the Colts had too many offensive options.

“It’s actually a good problem to have because we’ve got a lot of dudes,” Steichen told reporters after last week’s draft. “Obviously, there’s one football that goes around. But we’ve got a lot of talent. We’ve got to utilize that talent. That’s our job: to put those guys in position to go do it.

“But we’re fired up about what we have on offense,” the coach said. “We’ve got to put the work in, you know what I mean? We get these guys in the building this offseason and going into training camp, put them in a position to succeed.”

The Colts started phase two of OTAs this week. And Richardson is out there with his teammates.

“He looks really good,” said Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard during an interview on the Pat McAfee Show. “His spirit is good, now it’s just continue to finish his rehab up and be ready for OTAs when we start that up in a week.”

The Colts social media team released a Richardson workout video earlier this week. You can check it out below.

QB1 pic.twitter.com/rAHCqB714s
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 29, 2024

Indianapolis selected the raw, athletic Richardson in April 2023, with the fourth pick of the first round. Three of the first four picks were quarterbacks. Bryce Young went first to the Panthers, then the Texans selected CJ Stroud at No. 2. Indy followed by choosing their quarterback of the future.

But then the future was delayed. Richardson, the former Florida Gator, flashed some brilliance early last season. Then injuries took over his first season. Richardson suffered a concussion then a shoulder injury. That injury required season-ending shoulder surgery.

Indianapolis nearly made the playoffs with Gardner Minshew under center. But Minshew now is with the Raiders and the Colts are Richardson’s show. The team used four of their top five picks in last week’s draft on offensive players. They selected two offensive linemen in Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini.

Plus, Indy picked receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round and Anthony Gould in the fifth. Most pre-draft mocks projected Mitchell as a first-round pick, so the Colts possibly landed one of the early steals.

“I think he’s got a rare ability to separate at the top of routes,” Steichen said of Mitchell. “He’s got an arsenal of releases versus press man. You can see it show up on tape. … The guy is a competitor. To get him where we got him, I couldn’t be more fired up about it.”

The Colts already had a nice nucleus of offensive players. Star receiver Michael Pittman recently agreed to a $68 million, three-year extension. Tight end Jelani Woods also is expected to return after missing last season because of hamstring issues. Every quarterback needs a 6-7 tight end as a comfort blanket, right?

Plus, there’s running back Jonathan Taylor. No wonder people are pondering whether Indianapolis has too many weapons (although there’s no such thing).

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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