Pat McAfee Hypes Up Anthony Richardson With a ‘Protective’ Request Following Positive Updates for Returning QB

After a long recovery period, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson thrilled his fans with his comeback announcement for the 2024 season. Due to a painful shoulder injury in October, Richardson had to end his rookie season very early. He could play the initial 4 games of the season but then had to drop out.

Richardson is heading towards the 2024 season with an optimistic mindset after 4 months of PT and his shoulder surgery in February 2024. Now, Pat McAfee, US sports analyst, and a former football punter showed his ‘protective’ concern about 22 years old’s health, alluding to the Colts QB’s eye-catching performance and accomplishments.

McAfee’s champions Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson

McAfee highlighted the Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s zest for the 2024 campaign, applauding Richardson’s performance during his last rookie season playoffs, “This dude scored touchdowns, throwing scored touchdowns, running, I think he has an NFL record for most consecutive games to start your career with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. He has all the physical traits on earth.”

Apart from that, he dropped a protective request,  stating,  “All we need him to do though is this, D-But, you see what he’s doing? He’s jumping back and throwing it. Let’s just go ahead and continue to only exercise these particular muscles.”Now, Richardson heading to the 2024 season with a positive mindset, aiming to notch the win in the next playoffs.

Colts’ Richardson heading for 2024 season with high optimism

Richardson, who will turn 22 next month, is notably younger than most of the QBs which may be drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He left the fans in awe by becoming a franchise QB in his rookie season, securing just one pick with 3 touchdowns, and a completion rate of 59.5% on his passes, totaling 577 yards, at just the age of 21. During an interview with an ESPN reporter, he displayed his determination for the next season, stating, “I’ve never waited this long to get back to playing football, I’m just on a mission this year. Once that mission’s complete, then I’ll be good.”

The Colts QB also demonstrated his staunchness later, saying, “People didn’t really get to see everything I could do on the field. So, it’s kind of like a rookie season for me still. But now I’ve gained a lot more knowledge and understanding about football and the NFL. So, I’m a rookie at heart, but now I’m slowly turning into the leader that my team needs me to be. I’m ready for every opportunity that’s in front of me,” Richardson affirmed further.

Richardson harbors the potential to become a game-changer for the Indianapolis Colts, who missed the playoffs last season bearing a 9-8 record. While he was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson is ready to make a history comeback to prove why he is worth the hype.

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