Colts GM didn’t need to watch quarterback Anthony Richardson be a ‘celebrity some other place’

The Indianapolis Colts have been looking for a quarterback since Andrew Luck abruptly retired previous to the beginning of the 2019 season. 

Since his retirement, the Colts have traded for Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, and neither participant lasted greater than a season. 

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth total choose through the first spherical of the NFL draft, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo.  (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

With an opportunity to pick a franchise-altering quarterback within the 2023 NFL Draft, Colts common supervisor Chris Ballard took a threat, deciding on Florida’s Anthony Richardson with the fourth total choose. 

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His reasoning for the choice is fairly simple. 

“Sometimes you simply gotta take a shot at it,” Ballard stated on the video sequence “The Next Pick.” 

“I didn’t need to lookup and watch him be a celebrity some other place,” Ballard stated. “If he’s going to be a celebrity, he’s going to be a celebrity for the Colts. Fortunately for us, it labored out.”

General supervisor Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts speaks to the media through the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium March 1, 2023, in Indianapolis.  (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Indianapolis made Richardson the third quarterback chosen within the first 4 picks after Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud went first and second within the draft. 

The Florida product is taken into account to have a large upside although he’s a uncooked expertise. 

“Supremely gifted. I’ve referred to as him ‘the pure’ in some unspecified time in the future. Just among the s— he can do, only a few individuals on earth can do,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter stated through the draft. “I believe, in the precise surroundings, which I imagine we’re constructing right here, he’s acquired the absolute best probability to show into that upside man.”

An emotional Anthony Robinson reacts after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts through the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft April 27, 2023, at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo.   (Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)

Richardson didn’t have a ton of expertise on the faculty degree, turning into the full-time starter his ultimate season at Florida. 

He’ll be battling with veteran Gardner Minshew and third-year professional Sam Ehlinger for the beginning job subsequent season