Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced that rookie Anthony Richardson, 21, has been named their starting quarterback for the 2023 season. Steichen said: “Anthony’s just been progressing. The growth he’s shown, then, obviously, going into Buffalo, playing against a lot of their starters, he showed great signs of improvement. I like the things he did, and it’s an opportunity now for him to get a lot more with the [starters] moving forward, and we go from there.”

The news comes just days after Richardson made his debut in the preseason against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but Richardson said he never expected the starting QB role. In his NFL debut against Bufalo, Richardson went 7-for-12 with 67 yards and one interception, and added two carries for seven yards. Said Richardson: “Honestly, I was shocked … Still got to work for it despite being granted the opportunity. Still got to work for it because nothing’s handed to you. Got to earn everything.” Richardson, 21, said he had no expectations that this opportunity would come so quickly: “Just hearing the words … You work for it, [but] you didn’t know when the timeline was going to be. I was just looking forward to Week 1 and just being ready for the opportunity and getting thrown in the fire hopefully. But then he told me, and I’m like, ‘Wow, it really happened.’ So, I’m thankful, I’m blessed, and now, you’ve got to keep building on this opportunity.”

Richardson beat out Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger for the starting job. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick knows that history of the Colts, and said he’s chasing “greatness.” Said Richardson: “I talked about it before. I want to be great. I want to be remembered. I don’t want to just be one of those guys like, ‘Well, he was in the league.’ I want my legacy to be remembered forever.”

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