Colts' S Nick Cross on QB Anthony Richardson heading into Year 3

USA Today

14-04-2025

Colts' S Nick Cross on QB Anthony Richardson heading into Year 3 On an appearance on 'Good Morning Football,' Colts S Nick Cross showed his support for QB Anthony Richardson.
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross appeared on 'Good Morning Football' on Monday and was asked about quarterback Anthony Richardson, specifically, the criticism he has faced in his young NFL career.
"First of all, shout out my guy Anthony, my dawg," Cross said via Horseshoe Huddle. "Phenomenal talent, one of the best I've seen, physically. (He's) 6'5", 250, runs 4.4. Not as fast as me," Cross joked. "But at the end of the day, he gets out into open space, and he's a problem. Elite arm talent, can make all the throws and everything.
"He's a young guy. He's 22 years old, someone who has a very, very bright future ahead. Someone who I wholeheartedly believe in. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when."
Entering his third NFL season, Richardson finds himself in a competition with Daniel Jones for the Colts' starting quarterback job this year.
While we've seen flashes of the immense potential and playmaking abilities Richardson possesses, as Shane Steichen mentioned earlier this offseason, what the Colts need from him is consistency.
Last season, Richardson would complete just 47% of his passes and had the fifth-highest turnover-worthy play rate, according to PFF. Being able to take advantage of the short to intermediate throws more often will be crucial for him in winning the quarterback battle this summer.
"Every great quarterback has had their ups and downs," Cross said. "Peyton Manning led the league in interceptions as a rookie. Aaron Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for a little bit. Everybody has their own path. Something I learned from another great in my career, Stephon Gilmore, (he said), 'Everybody has their own race. Just run your own race.' So, I feel like some people are a little hard on the kids. Everybody's path is different."
Among the on-field inconsistencies Richardson had in 2024, he again missed time at various points due to injuries, and was benched at one point as well.
However, to Richardson's credit, after being benched, he responded off the field how the Colts wanted him to, and once back in the starting lineup, his play did improve. This included leading two game-winning drives in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.
The Colts are hoping that this competition with Jones will help Richardson elevate his game once again. Given the investment made into Richardson, both from a draft capital and time standpoints, along with his sky-high upside, it is without a doubt in the best interest of the Colts long-term that Richardson wins the starting job over Jones.
One advantage that Richardson has this offseason compared to last year is that he's been fully healthy and able to work on his game, specifically the fundamentals, as Steichen mentioned at the NFL combine.
In addition to that, Richardson is also working with the same quarterback mechanics coach that Josh Allen worked with early on in his career.
"He only played one year of college, playing at Florida," Cross continued. "At the end of the day, he's learning at a high pace. He wants to learn, he's willing to learn. He's the ultimate competitor. You see him in the New England game, constantly running. The Jets game, running guys over and having guys getting up wobbling in the end zone from all that. He's gonna put his body on the line for the team, and ultimately, he's a great team guy."