19 May 2023 , 18:54
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The Indianapolis Colts have undergone a major offseason overhaul at the quarterback position, as Nick Foles and Matt Ryan have been replaced by Gardner Minshew and the recently drafted Anthony Richardson.
The Colts used their fourth overall pick to select the Florida star, and it's expected that Richardson will battle with Minshew for the starting role this season. Minshew is another new arrival having in free agency following his exit from the Philadelphia Eagles where he backed up Jalen Hurts, but has vast experience after two full seasons with Jacksonville Jaguars.
Minshew has been around some fantastic NFL stars, and perhaps knows Hurts' game better than anyone after his final season with the Eagles. Therefore, his recent comments about Richardson may suggest that the Colts have drafted a real talent.
Richardson and Minshew worked out at the same facility in Florida before the 2023 NFL Draft, and now the pair are team-mates at the Colts. Richardson is expected to be the future of the franchise, but Minshew may be hoping to get another year as a starter while his team-mate is still a rookie.
However, it seems as though there is no heated rivalry within the camp as Minshew was full of praise for Richardson on Wednesday.
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"I've been really impressed, because a lot of the time the bigger guys with the bigger arms aren't as quick with some of the RPO stuff and the underneath passes," Minshew told NFL.com.
"He's very quick, and his feet are very quick, and I think he can get the ball out and process fast. Obviously, the first thing is just how impressive the ball just jumps out of his hand.
Richardson has been heavily praised by Gardner Minshew (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)"Physically, he's got everything you want, so from that standpoint just seeing him is like, 'Wow, this dude's really got a chance'. And then getting around him and seeing how he works, how he takes criticism and wants to learn and get better, all those things are really encouraging to be around."
Colts head coach Shane Steichen is yet to reveal who he plans to start next season, as he will assess the pair at close quarters during summer camps before making a decision. But it seems as though Minshew is happy with whatever role he's given, wanting to help the younger quarterbacks wherever he can.
"That's part of my role, is trying to get them comfortable. You want to help the room as much as you can, everybody that's in it," Minshew said. "So we've got two younger guys, him (Richardson) and Sam, so just trying to help them out whenever I can."