Quarterback Anthony Richardson is the key to success for the Indianapolis Colts entering the 2024 season.
There's no denying that his recovery from shoulder surgery and the subsequent development of his skills are the determining factors in how far the Colts can go.
While it's best to throw a bit of caution to the wind when it comes to expectations, Nick Shook of NFL.com believes Richardson is an early MVP candidate.
Shook ranked Richardson at No. 7 in his early MVP candidate rankings, just behind Josh Allen.
Here's where it gets fun. Remember Richardson? You know, the pillar of a human with freakish athleticism who carried question marks into the 2023 draft, then promptly dunked on them in his first month of play? I sure do. Richardson's abrupt end to his rookie season may have made you forget about him, but I'm gearing up for a big year for the kid, who is playing for the right coach in Shane Steichen and has the chance to team up with rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell for plenty of alley-oops on the haters. Yes, I'm putting my stock in Richardson, Mitchell and the Colts, who also locked up the team's No. 1 receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. And if I profit, you'll hear Richardson mentioned among the top players in the league at his position.
Realistically, it would take a lot for Richardson to enter the MVP candidacy in 2024. He certainly has the upside to reach that level of play given his dual-threat abilities. But it all comes down to how quickly his development takes place.
Richardson gave us a glimpse of what he could be in the NFL before suffering a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the remainder of his rookie season after just five games.
The Colts are banking on the talented signal-caller to lead them into playoff contention, which is likely the first step Richardson would need to be considered an MVP candidate.
