Based on ESPN’s Matt Miller (subscription), not solely will Indianapolis Colts new quarterback Anthony Richardson win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2023, however his a lot anticipated arrival in Indy will ultimately pave the best way for the Horseshoe to return to greatness:

Make your early name for Offensive Rookie of the Yr

Miller: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts (No. 4). (Bijan) Robinson is a good choice, however for the sake of selection, I’ll point out Richardson in a shock transfer. He ought to play early in Shane Steichen’s offense and has the dual-threat means to rack up large stats as a passer and runner to get him some {hardware} after the 2023 season.

Make one daring prediction about this class for 5 years from now.

Miller: Anthony Richardson and the Colts might be on high of the AFC South. He has immense expertise as a passer and runner and his slot in Shane Steichen’s offensive system will reignite soccer in Indianapolis. Even with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, Indy might take over this division. Richardson’s uncooked means is not like something we’ve seen in soccer. So in 5 years, Richardson might be a top-tier beginning QB and the Colts might be Tremendous Bowl contenders.

Now, expectations must be tempered a bit, as Richardson turns simply 21 years previous in a couple of weeks and remains to be growing as a passer—with restricted collegiate beginning expertise. That being stated, his surprisingly sturdy pocket presence and high-end bodily instruments are there to finally grow to be a Prime 5 NFL quarterback and perennial MVP candidate—if all of it really clicks.

New Colts head coach Shane Steichen can deploy the dual-threat Richardson equally to how he utilized final 12 months’s breakout NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles final 12 months—then because the reigning NFC Champions’ offensive coordinator and play-caller.

If the Colts make the most of Richardson’s legs, simplify the offensive playbook round his dynamic speeding means, and lean closely on workhorse Jonathan Taylor and the bottom recreation, there’s no query that Richardson could make a right away impression—at the same time as a rawer rookie. Groups are awfully nervous having to defend each Richardson and Taylor within the RPO recreation already.

Larger image although, and Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard even lately talked about this, the Colts wanted to swing for the fences right here—particularly in a loaded AFC that already boasts Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence at beginning quarterback amongst groups. The Colts wanted an ‘alien’ of their very own to ‘sustain with the Jones’s’ so to talk—though not Jerry on this occasion. We’re speaking extra like Alien vs. Predator, however on a soccer area.

If the Colts can finally develop Richardson, who landed in the perfect state of affairs (which Miller additionally identified) with Steichen, this can have been a surefire dwelling run. Steichen has the persistence, expertise with proficient younger quarterbacks, and gifted thoughts to correctly develop Richardson at his personal tempo—as a former QB himself. And sure, that might imply in 5 years, the Colts are lastly Tremendous Bowl contenders once more—perhaps even a bit sooner.

*Nevertheless, simply bear in mind, there might be preliminary rising pains to hopefully in the future attain the promised land.