Colts’ Anthony Richardson says playing in the NFL is “easier” than college

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson played in just four games his rookie season until injuries sidelined him, but that was enough experience for him to decide it was “easier” to approach the NFL game than the college game.

“I think playing in the NFL is easier than playing in college,” he said during an appearance on the show 520 Club Podcast (Mark 23:55).

“In college you have good players, they know they’re good, but they’re not as confident. They have to rely on other players to do it so they can do it. But in the league, everyone is trying to stay in the league and keep their job, so everyone is trying to get the ball. It just lets me know that I don’t have to do too much, that I will do what I have to do and he will do it, do your thing and it will work.”

It’s important to note that Richardson is not saying that NFL defenses are easier to beat than college defenses. Instead, he can focus on what he knows he needs to do rather than completely carrying the team on his back.

The University of Florida product will be in the spotlight in 2024 after Indianapolis selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With this selection, the AFC South team made him a future quarterback, but due to injuries, he was not able to prove himself throughout his debut season. This means that in his second season, he will be asked to step up from the team without as much experience as some of the other quarterbacks in his draft class, such as C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young.

Richardson showed his potential at times during four games last season and while rushing for 136 yards and four touchdowns, he completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Indianapolis just missed the playoffs without him, thanks in large part to Gardner Minshew II’s impressive performance, but the veteran quarterback is now playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.

This means that the Colts’ outcome in 2024 will likely depend on Richardson’s ability to live up to expectations.

Fortunately for the team and its fans, he believes that certain aspects of the game and preparing for the season come easier to him than in college.