Imagine a rookie stepping into the batter’s box at Fenway Park, swinging for the fences with every pitch—only to whiff at fastballs down the middle. That’s Anthony Richardson’s NFL journey so far: electric potential shadowed by frustrating inconsistency. The Indianapolis Colts bet big on the Florida phenom, drafting him fourth overall in 2023. But two seasons in, whispers about his readiness have turned into a full-blown debate. Enter Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, who’ve amplified the noise with a brutal reality check. But before we get to that, let’s take you to a trip down memory lane…

The conversation first reared its head earlier this week when “quarterback whisperer” Bruce Arians, famed for helping the likes of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, pointed out a very grim reality. Talking about the Colts signal caller, he had said on the High Volume podcast, “Anthony, I think needed two more years of college… you know, as a passer, not as an athlete. He’s a great athlete,” he said. “But as a passer, I didn’t see him coming out…If you can’t win third down to a minute, you’re just an average guy.” Translation: Richardson’s decision to chase the draft bag over polishing his craft might cost him. Arians’ track record gives his critique weight—he’s seen generational talents grind through similar growing pains. But Indianapolis isn’t panicking—yet, despite the unflattering stats. Let’s break it down:

• 2024 completion rate: 47.7% (NFL-worst among starters).
• TD/INT ratio: 8/12.
• QBR: 47.4 (27th in the league).
  Even Michael Vick—a comparison Richardson himself invoked—posted a 54.9% completion rate by his second season while Anthony’s numbers down to 47.7% “You make your money on third down,” Ochocinco stressed. So, if you can’t convert, you’re just a guy with legs.

So, it was only natural that the controversy would reach the Nightcap crew. On the April 11 episode of the podcast, Sharpe broached the subject first bringing up Arians’ statements. Ochocinco agreed: “Being in college would have helped him tremendously if you look at the numbers,” when his co-host pointed out, “He wasn’t a high completion percentage guy in college,” and added how money might have been the reason why Richardson moved to the NFL. “The guy’s a top-five pick. He got…$25 million probably fully guaranteed. They ain’t paying that in NIL collective. So I get why, you get why, his family gets why…But at the end of the day, in the two-minute drill and on third down, as a quarterback [is] where you make your money.”

Adding to that, Sharpe even compared Richardson’s 2024 season completion rate of 47.7% to that of Tim Tebow’s—widely regarded as one of the worst NFL quarterbacks—47.9% in his three season professional career. “With the way the field is spaced now, the way they protect the quarterback, the way they protect the receivers? Everybody should be completing 60%,” Sharpe further pointed out. A little while later, he also laid out the exact blueprint that would help Richardson achieve a successful NFL career: “He’s got to get [his completion percentage] up to the mid-50.” The directive is clear, but can the 22-year-old do it?

Well, GM Chris Ballard still believes Richardson’s dual-threat ability (635 rushing yards, 10 TDs in 15 games) can offset his passing woes. But with Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and receivers like Michael Pittman Jr., excuses are thin. “They got a nice offensive line. There’s no reason. There’s no right for him to be completing less than 50% of his passes,” Sharpe argued. The Colts’ playoff hopes hinge on Richardson’s Year 3 leap—or Daniel Jones might steal the spotlight.

Richardson isn’t lacking weapons. Pittman (627 and 1,152 yards in 2024 and 2023, respectively) and rookie Adonai Mitchell are reliable targets. Taylor’s presence should force defenses to respect the run, creating play-action opportunities. However, Richardson’s inaccuracy keeps stalling drives. But Richardson’s self-awareness is refreshing.

After a dismal Week 8 loss to Houston, he admitted, “I definitely could have played better today.” But accountability needs results. His habit of tapping out for breathers mid-drive—like during a critical third-and-23 against the Texans—raises questions about his stamina and grit. Coach Shane Steichen’s patience is wearing thin: “It’s a team game. We grind through those things and we get it figured out,” he said, but the Colts’ 4-4 midseason record screamed urgency. Meanwhile, History isn’t on Richardson’s side, either.

Anthony Richardson’s uphill battle: Can he silence the critics?

Since 2000, only 12 QBs drafted top-five with sub-50% rookie completion rates became long-term starters. For every Josh Allen (52.8% as a rookie), there’s a JaMarcus Russell. Richardson’s 50.6% career mark puts him in dangerous territory. The 2025 season looms large. If Richardson flops, Indy could trade him for draft capital and reboot. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano already labels him a “project QB” candidate. But Richardson’s raw tools—4.4 speed, a cannon arm—remain tantalizing.

Anthony Richardson stands at a fork in the road: one path leads to stardom, the other to obscurity. His supporters cling to flashes like his 69-yard bomb to Pittman in 2024; his critics see a QB stuck in neutral. As they say, “Average guys don’t last here.” With training camp nearing, Richardson must channel the relentless work ethic of his idol, Michael Vick, while avoiding the pitfalls of Ryan Leaf.

In the words of Friday Night Lights’ Coach Taylor: “Every man at some point in his life is gonna lose a battle. He’s gonna fight and he’s gonna lose. But what makes him a man is that in the midst of that battle, he does not lose himself.” Can Richardson find himself before the Colts lose faith? The clock’s ticking.