CJ will start week 1. I like that they're putting a little pressure on him early and not announcing it already. Also, if there's one NFL franchise I'd like to emulate, it's definitely Carolina and their total history of irrelevance.
espn "insider" stuff: Candidates: Sam Ehlinger, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson Richardson was the No. 4 pick in the '23 draft, and therefore, the Colts' plan is for him to be their starter at some point soon -- and ideally, for a long time. But there were pre-draft concerns, voiced by many, that Richardson's off-the-charts talent might need some time to refine itself before he is ready to start NFL games. That's the reason the Colts have Minshew there. Having worked with new coach Shane Steichen when the two were in Philadelphia together, Minshew knows the offense, and the Colts are confident he could handle the role if asked to start while Richardson continues to develop. They aren't ruling out the possibility that Richardson could start Week 1, though. They just don't have enough information yet to determine whether he'll be ready. After all, Richardson started just 13 games at Florida. "He's a great kid, but he's young," Colts GM Chris Ballard told reporters in Indianapolis at the start of training camp. "There's going to be some up-and-down moments in camp. There's going to be some up-and-down moments when he eventually plays. I'll lean heavily on our coaching staff and what they think he can handle and think he's ready for. When the coaching staff thinks he's ready to go, then we'll play him." Week 1 starter prediction: Even if he still needs refining as a passer, Richardson will offer enough as a runner that he'll be the Colts' best option right out of the chute. And he may not even need as much refining as a passer as many thought he would. I say Richardson starts Week 1.
