During Week 3 on the Indianapolis Colts schedule, the team will host the new-look Chicago Bears. It will be their first meeting since October 4, 2020, when the Colts won 19-11 in Chicago.
The Colts and Bears have something in common. They both have quarterbacks who were top-four picks within the past two NFL drafts. Indianapolis has Anthony Richardson while Chicago is led by rookie Caleb Williams.
Both Richardson and Williams are unproven, young players. Yet, they have the potential to be superstar quarterbacks down the road.
Week 3 on Indianapolis Colts Schedule May Be Battle of Two Future Elite QBs
Anthony Richardson
Andrew Luck retired right before the 2019 season. Since he left, the Colts have struggled to find a replacement. Over the years, they’ve employed guys like Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, and Gardner Minshew. None of them were long-term answers.
The Colts attempted to solve their problem, though, by drafting Richardson with the fourth overall pick in 2023. Unfortunately, his rookie year consisted of just four games as he suffered a right shoulder injury.
With that said Richardson hasn’t seen the field much. Yet, he’ll return this coming season and could have a breakout year.
Minshew took over for Richardson last year and nearly helped the Colts reach the playoffs. Indianapolis just might make the postseason in 2024 if Richardson can stay healthy.
Caleb Williams
Williams had a stellar collegiate career. As a freshman at Oklahoma, he began the season backing up starter Spencer Rattler. Yet, he wound up supplanting Rattler during a game against Texas and led the Sooners to a 21-point comeback victory. Williams remained the starter for the rest of the season before transferring to USC.
During his first year at USC, Williams passed for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also rushed for 382 yards and 10 scores. The Washington D.C. native ended up winning the Heisman Trophy that year.
After throwing for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, Williams was selected by the Bears with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams will replace Justin Fields, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason. The Bears are hoping he can turn the franchise around and bring the franchise back to respectability.
Can They Become Elite Quarterbacks?
It remains to be seen whether Richardson or Williams will reach their potential and emerge as superstars. Several high-draft-pick quarterbacks went on to have legendary careers. But then again, many have become enormous busts.
Richardson can be one of the league’s most exciting players and top duel-threat QBs. The former Florida Gators star has a cannon for an arm. Plus, he can continuously make breathtaking plays as a runner.
Richardson has some offensive weapons to work with in Indy. Jonathan Taylor, one of the best running backs when healthy, is still around. The Colts also have a solid receiving corps that includes Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and rookie Adonai Mitchell. That group should help Richardson excel right off the bat.
Like Richardson, Williams is surrounded by offensive weapons. He has receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze as well as running back D’Andre Swift.
Williams is immensely talented. He has the potential to be the next Patrick Mahomes. However, he’s now with a franchise that has a quarterback curse. Other than Hall of Famer Sid Luckman, who played during the 1940s, there haven’t been any star signal-callers in Bears history. Perhaps Williams will ultimately break the curse.
Main Photo: [Marc Lebryk] – USA Today Sports
