Anthony Richardson was the man the Indianapolis Colts tabbed to be their franchise quarterback. He was the third quarterback off the board and was tasked with being the long sought after answer at the game’s most important position for a franchise that had uncharacteristically been unable to fill it with competency. We all know the story, but it doesn’t mean the book is closed on Richardson’s NFL career. He can look to Sam Darnold winning a Super Bowl for inspiration to get him back on track.
Darnold
was a loser. Not Darnold the person but when it came to the NFL, his record was a losing one. He managed 21 wins as a starter with 35 losses in his first six years. It looked like things were over when he joined the 49ers as a backup, assuming the life of a failed number one pick. He started one game that year and lost it. In NFL terms, Darnold was a loser.
What a difference a year makes, however, as Darnold’s career was rejuvenated with the Vikings and then capped off with the sweetest cherry on top one season after that. Darnold is now a winner; not just “a winner” but “the winner”. All hope seemed lost just like it does for Richardson. Another failed first round quarterback who no longer seems like a match for the team that picked him. The Jets gave up on Darnold after three seasons. It only took the Colts a season’s worth of games to do the same.
There was a lot more data on Darnold than there is Richardson from an on the field perspective, but on the field data isn’t the only thing from which to judge a player. Richardson’s maturity and commitment have been questioned. That wasn’t the case with Darnold. He simply needed to be in the right system with the right coach to bring it out in him. Maturing in the NFL was what he needed, not maturing in life.
Richardson is still extremely young and has ideally learned what it takes to be a leader. Life experience is the greatest teacher one can have sometimes. This could be his chance to show how much he has grown whether he stays with the Colts in 2026 or they find a trade partner. From there, it is all about unlocking his gifts. The physical traits are there. Chris Ballard preached patience and refining those raw attributes. The organization as a whole didn’t follow through, though. Richardson may get that chance somewhere else in the league and show his true potential.
There have been 60 Super Bowls and only 34 different winning quarterbacks. That is elite company for Sam Darnold to find himself in and speaks to his incredible turnaround. Anthony Richardson could win a Super Bowl, but even if he doesn’t, it doesn’t mean he won’t be able to find success. Only 34 men have won it all at quarterback, but there are a lot more successful men at the position over the history of the NFL. He doesn’t have to win it all, but he simply has to start winning. If he grows on and off the field, who knows? Maybe he will be the next redemption story.
