Anthony Richardson’s uneven preseason start, followed by a sharper second-quarter push for the Colts

The Indianapolis Colts’ preseason opener against the New England Patriots offered a familiar theme for quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. The first portion of the outing did not play smoothly, and Richardson appeared to struggle to find consistent rhythm early. But as the first half unfolded, he looked markedly more comfortable, making several throws that suggested a clearer grasp of the gameplan and timing.

Those late first-half improvements matter in the NFL preseason because they often indicate whether a quarterback is catching up as the week accelerates. Coaches and evaluators pay close attention not just to moments of execution, but to whether adjustments show up on the next series. Richardson’s ability to regain control after a slow start became the most notable thread in the Colts’ early game film.

The context around Richardson’s Indianapolis future adds weight to every early preseason snapshot. The quarterback position is never evaluated in a vacuum, and reports entering the summer framed his role as something the organization would continue to assess. With that backdrop, the Colts’ decision-making in subsequent weeks will likely hinge on whether the better moments carry over, rather than whether there is a single turning point.

In the sequence described from the game, Richardson did not immediately provide the clean, repeatable efficiency that preseason quarterbacks aim to display. Instead, his progress came later in the first half, when the play looked more synchronized. That shift is important because it can reflect a quarterback making quicker reads, improving pocket presence, and connecting with receivers at a higher rate, even if the overall outing is still a work in progress.

For Indianapolis, the preseason also functions as a rehearsal for how the offense distributes its reps. When a quarterback struggles early and then settles in, it can raise questions about what the team is learning about protection schemes, route timing, and the balance between designed throws and improvisation. Colts coaches will also weigh how well their protection holds up and whether Richardson’s improved play corresponds with cleaner protection and more predictable concepts.

What to watch next is whether the late-first-half improvement becomes a trend. The preseason quickly moves from “show us something” to “show us consistency,” and quarterbacks are pressured to replicate their best stretches across multiple drives. If Richardson continues to look sharper after early errors, it strengthens his case for the role the Colts envision for him. If the improvements fade, the organization’s internal evaluation of who gives them the best chance to progress will likely intensify.

At the same time, it is still early. Preseason games are largely about process, evaluation, and roster decisions, and the level of execution can vary from drive to drive due to rotations and the way each team chooses to manage reps. Still, the Colts’ first-half arc, with Richardson rallying after an uneven start, gives Indianapolis something to build on while they look toward the next preseason series and the larger picture of what Richardson’s development needs to look like.