According to Jim Trotter of The New York Times, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who usually stays reserved during the season (leaving the spotlight to his head coach), didn’t hold back when addressing the criticism Anthony Richardson faced from some national media after his recent two-game benching:
“I was so upset at the nonsense that was said after we benched him,” Ballard said. “Are people that clueless? They were calling him a bust, saying he was done. I told our local folks, ‘We’re not giving up on this guy.’ Nobody believed it. Watching him these last three weeks, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Ballard emphasized that Richardson, at just 22 years old, is still developing and working to improve the areas where he needs growth. At his age—barely past the legal drinking limit—Richardson could have been finishing his senior year of college at Florida had he stayed all four years. He remains one of the youngest starting quarterbacks in the NFL.
Reflecting on the situation, Ballard admitted that the Colts might have erred in how they handled Richardson’s rookie season, revealing he’d been advised not to rush the young quarterback into action:
“Looking back, I wish we hadn’t played him as a rookie,” Ballard admitted. “John Dorsey called me and said, ‘Don’t play him.’ John had the wisdom from Green Bay’s approach, where they sat quarterbacks (like Aaron Rodgers sitting behind Brett Favre for three years and Jordan Love behind Rodgers for two). As they get older, they develop habits we expected Anthony to have from day one.”
That hindsight is significant, as Richardson won the starting job during 2023 training camp by outperforming veteran Gardner Minshew, showcasing his superior talent and ability. However, it’s possible a “redshirt year” and mentorship under an experienced quarterback—someone like Andy Dalton—could have aided Richardson’s development. The approach worked well for Andrew Luck, who benefited from veteran guidance early in his career.
Ultimately, Richardson faced criticism that was harsher than warranted, especially from some national media and even a few Colts fans, who prematurely labeled him a “bust.” They overlooked his inexperience and the challenges of transitioning to an NFL starting quarterback role.
Now, Richardson is proving those doubters wrong, bouncing back stronger than ever and giving his general manager plenty to be proud of—even if it’s made Ballard a little less polite when discussing the critics.
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