NFL head coach had the perfect advice for Colts QB Anthony Richardson at a time he needed it most

It's been a rough couple of weeks for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. He's been in the headlines for reasons no one wants to find themselves in. The team decided to bench their 2023 first-round pick ahead of their Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

It's been a rough couple of weeks for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. He's been in the headlines for reasons no one wants to find themselves in. 

The team decided to bench their 2023 first-round pick ahead of their Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with Richardson, and his message was caught on video. 


Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell still believes in Colts QB Anthony Richardson 

"Hey do me a favor and remember something. You're a bad dude. And you're gonna play a long time in this league. Go to work every day good things will happen for you. I still believe in you, I know these guys do. Shane (Steichen) does, too. Man, this organization loves you. Go to work!."

– Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell's message to Colts QB Anthony Richardson

It would be easy for Richardson to allow the recent run of negative moments in this young NFL career to kill his overall morale and confidence in himself. Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell knows this and chose to go speak to Ricahrdson after the Colts and Vikings Sunday Night Football matchup to give him his advice. 

During the Colts' loss to the Vikings, NBC's SNF broadcast team couldn't help itself as they panned to Richardson countless times during the game. And something I noticed during the pre-game and the game itself: Richardson remained his energetic and lively self. We saw him celebrate big moments, and we saw him hyping up his teammates. He was glued to the hip of the new starter, Joe Flacco, whenever he was on the sideline. 

We will have to wait and see how the rest of Ricahrdson's story is written. But he seems to be responding in the exact way the team hoped and believed he would. If you are like me or Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell, then you also feel that Ricahrdson's story with the Colts and as an NFL quarterback is far from over.