Anthony Richardson is at the crossroads of his young career in Indianapolis.
The Colts imported Daniel Jones this offseason to provide competition. It's unlikely the former New York Giants first-rounder would have picked Indy unless there was a legitimate chance he could unseat Richardson for playing time.
Richardson's first two seasons have been characterized by injury, woeful ineffectiveness, a few impressive bombs, inaccuracy and one ill-advised mid-game tapout. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick played in just 15 games and will now battle for his job.
While many outside the facility might have already thrown in the towel on the 22-year-old, the locker room hasn't.
Joining NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Friday, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said that competition could be the best thing for Richardson.
"I love Anthony," Franklin said. "Obviously, being in there with him in the trenches through the highs and lows of the season last year, it was tough, but [I'm] obviously supporting him and his growth."
Franklin pointed to other quarterbacks who overcame poor situations and struggled with early career play to find success eventually. In reality, his examples could work for both Richardson and Jones, who bottomed out in New York.
"I think with the turn of how we've seen some of these quarterbacks who were drafted extremely high get put in new situations and are able to blossom, you watch Geno Smith, you watch Sam Darnold," he said. "The list goes on of these different guys who just get in another building -- Baker Mayfield -- and they're able to, with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh set of situations, be able to be successful and be able to play up to the expectations of their draft status."
Franklin added that competition shaped his career and will ultimately be the best for the entire team.
"Obviously, (general manager Chris) Ballard was very big on having competition," he said. "Honestly, competition brought out the best in me in my career. When I came in, with Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, Anthony Walker, E.J. Speed, those guys made me better every single day. I learned so much from their game, and they learned from me. That's part of the reason why we were so successful because we were able to grow together. So, competition's going to help everybody. Obviously, I still love Anthony, still believe in Anthony, but I know Daniel Jones is going to help elevate that room, too."
One key question that will be answered in the coming year is whether, like Smith, Darnold and Mayfield, it will take Richardson moving elsewhere to truly clean his slate and allow the talented but inaccurate quarterback to reach his potential.
For now, the Richardson-Jones competition will be a headliner in Indy.
"The only answer to competition is put your head down and grind," Franklin said. "Like I said, that'll bring out the best out of everybody involved in the situation."
How Richardson responds will speak volumes about his future -- in Indy or elsewhere.
