Anthony Richardson had an instant connection to Seattle's Pete Carroll
Florida’s quarterback hit it off with Seattle Seahawks long-time head coach Pete Carroll during the NFL Draft combine.
If the NFL Draft combine was a completely accurate predictor of NFL success, Anthony Richardson would be a guaranteed star.
He put on a show last Saturday. and despite the Seattle Seahawks granting Geno Smith a three-year extension, head coach Pete Carroll admitted the team would be looking at taking a young quarterback with its first-round selection. Recent reports indicate that the young quarterback in question could be Florida's Richardson, who, according to ESPN, reportedly had an instant rapport with Carroll.
"A cool moment came when Richardson met with the Seahawks," per ESPN reporter Stephen Holder. "Richardson said he felt an instant rapport with energetic coach Pete Carroll."
"He had this big smile on his face," Richardson said, per the report. "We shook hands, and something about it was just different. You only see these guys on TV. And now I'm in their presence and they're right there talking to me. And they're interested in me. That makes you feel good."
Richardson has been mocked to Seattle extensively at pick No. 5.
He presents as an intriguing prospect with a large upside, but he will require a few years to develop.
With Smith under contract for three more seasons, Seattle has time to let Richardson develop as a signal caller. He will not be rushed to be the savior of the franchise. Instead, he will be given enough wiggle room to discover who he is as an NFL quarterback.
Either way, it is encouraging that both Carroll and the young Richardson had a near-instant connection when they met in Indiana last week.
