CINCINNATI — The first drive was precise, purposeful and damn near perfect.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, facing the Bengals’ second-stringers in Thursday night’s preseason finale, did what any starting signal caller should do against backups: He carved them up. Indianapolis used 12 plays to march 80 yards for a score on its opening drive, with Richardson completing 7-of-8 passes for 65 yards.
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His only incompletion was a laser to tight end Drew Ogletree in the end zone that may have been a little too hot to handle but was still a catchable pass. On the very next play, Richardson made up for it by connecting with AD Mitchell for a 9-yard touchdown. Even with pressuring bearing down on him, Richardson delivered a pinpoint ball to Mitchell across the middle, and the rookie took care of the rest by racing to the end zone.
We have our first AD TD! 🚨
📺 Prime Video / FOX59 pic.twitter.com/GrfhdjCku6
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 23, 2024
Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony tried to beat Mitchell to the goal line and even ripped his helmet off in an effort to stop him, but Mitchell still broke through for his first NFL touchdown. One of the first players to congratulate a helmet-less Mitchell was his QB, who jumped up and down in excitement and ran to greet him on the sideline.
“I hope he kept the football,” Richardson said after Indianapolis’ 27-14 victory.
“I’mma give it to Ma Dukes,” Mitchell added, referring to his mother.
#Colts preseason finale:
• The good from Anthony Richardson
• The bad from Anthony Richardson
• Shane Steichen noting that every QB misses throws
• AR stays healthy (that’s the main thing)
• Laiatu Latu got his first sack
• Colts turn attention to Week 1 vs. Houston pic.twitter.com/o6Urgorpr5— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 23, 2024
That was the good from Richardson, who picked up four first downs through the air on the Colts’ first possession. The first two went to Alec Pierce, the next one went to Michael Pittman Jr. and the last went to Jonathan Taylor before Richardson and Mitchell put Indy on the board.
Then came the bad from Richardson, who looked very much like a quarterback who’s only started 17 games since he graduated high school in 2020.
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Despite playing four more possessions, Richardson would only complete one more pass after the opening drive, finishing the day 8-of-14 through the air for 86 yards with one touchdown against one interception. After connecting with Mitchell for a touchdown, Richardson threw another touchdown on Indianapolis’ next drive, but to the wrong team.
“I got two touchdowns,” Richardson said afterward, laughing. “Nah, I’m joking. The interception, that was a tough one.”
.@JordanMBattle with the pick-six 😏
📺: #CINvsIND on Prime Video pic.twitter.com/ivXKQDFWzp
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 23, 2024
Backed up at the Colts’ 9-yard line, Richardson threw a pass toward tight end Kylen Granson that he thought would notch another first down. However, when Richardson uncorked a fastball inside, and Granson broke to the outside, the pass ended up in the lap of Bengals safety Jordan Battle, who easily ran it back for a pick-six. A frustrated Richardson threw his hands up in the air in confusion and eventually talked the play over with Granson on the sideline. Richardson explained after the game that it was simply a miscommunication.
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed the miscue as well and noted another play involving Mitchell that was a bit off. The Bengals used a cloud coverage that Steichen called “a unique look” to confuse Mitchell as he ran down the middle of the field, which ultimately threw the timing off between the rookie receiver and Richardson.
Steichen wasn’t overly concerned about either play and emphasized that while Richardson obviously has room to improve, he is moving in the right direction.
“He’s played what, four-and-half games?” Steichen rhetorically asked. “ … I just go back to his playmaking ability. He’ll make some huge plays for us this year. I think it’s going to be awesome and fun to watch.”
Early on in Thursday’s game, Richardson was must-see TV. But overall, his performance doubled as a roller coaster as the 22-year-old tries to put it all together. There were flashes of brilliance, like when Richardson drilled Granson for a 21-yard gain down the seam on his final drive and when he identified a Bengals blitz before delivering a strike to Pierce for a 13-yard gain on Indy’s opening drive.
“He got them with the hard count,” Pierce said. “They kind of showed their hand, and he checked to me to make sure I knew what to do because I’m not usually in the slot. … He knew he had to get the ball out hot, so I was the answer on that.”
There were also a few lowlights, like when Richardson completely overthrew Mitchell on a crosser route despite facing no pressure. Richardson also held on to the ball too long while scrambling and was strip-sacked from behind by Bengals defensive end Justin Blazek early in the second quarter. The QB quickly took responsibility and knew his lack of ball security would be harped on in the Colts’ next film session.
Perhaps more important than Richardson’s good plays and bad plays, though, was that he finally took a hit to his right shoulder this preseason and popped right back up after a 3-yard scramble on his final play Thursday. The last time he absorbed that kind of contact, it led to season-ending surgery and months of rehab.
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“I just love being on the field in general,” Richardson said of his return. “When Week 1 does come and it does show up, I’ll be ready to play.”
As Richardson now turns his attention to the Colts’ home opener against defending AFC South champion Houston, he said he feels a lot more relaxed than he did at this time last year. He’s no longer trying to “be a superhero.” He’s just trying to be himself, which means embracing the highs and lows like he did on five drives Thursday night, and ignoring anyone who doubts that he can be franchise QB.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on the Bengals’ trash talk during Tuesday’s joint practice and how he handles criticism overall:
“When it comes to people just talking, that don’t really phase me much. Cuz people been talking pretty much my whole life. … Just add fuel to the fire.” pic.twitter.com/Ve2yb05Dwh
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 23, 2024
“When it comes to people just talking, man, that don’t really phase me much,” Richardson said. “People been talking pretty much my whole life, so it’s like, ‘OK, (you’re) just adding fuel to the fire.’ I’m just gonna do me and keep doing me, no matter what anybody else say.”
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(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
