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Indianapolis passer Anthony Richardson had a somewhat bold take about suiting up in college versus the NFL, though he made his claim in the most complimentary way possible.
During an interview on the Club 520 podcast this week, he was heard saying that playing with the Colts is easier than it was as a member of the Florida Gators.
That has nothing to do with SEC competition being stiffer, and it seems laughable considering he was a first-round talent that often took over games at the college level.
But when he breaks things down a bit further, it makes sense.
“The old me, I used to always try to be Superman,” he said when speaking on the transition from the NCAA to the NFL. “I’m trying to make every play. Every play I make has got to be a big play…
“Playing in the NFL, I feel like, is easier than college. In college, you’ve got players that are good – and they know they’re good – but they’re not as confident. They’ve got to rely on other players… In the league, everybody’s trying to work to stay in the league. They’re trying to keep their job and everybody’s trying to ball out.
“That let me know that I don’t have to do too much. I’ve got to do my job, and he’s got to do his job, and it’s going to work.”
Though he says that playing with more talented teammates does make his job easier in a sense, Anthony Richardson did note that there was an adjustment period.
“My first practice with the vets, I threw like three interceptions – these dudes are fast! I had to get my mind right, but it didn’t take too long [to adjust to the game speed].”
The take might seem outlandish to some, but for those that watched Richardson play at Florida, it’s certainly believable.
As he said, he often tried to do too much as a college passer, which often resulted in boom or bust type plays. While he produced a number of highlight reel runs like the one seen above, he also committed costly turnovers in critical situations.
As a pro, the pressure is off, allowing him the luxury of playing within himself.
After being drafted with a first-round selection in 2023, he put his talent and athleticism on full display across his first four games as a pro. Unfortunately, injuries cut his rookie season short, but he’s looking to bounce back in Year 2.
Hopefully, he can remain healthy and continue to grow as an NFL player.