There’s only one video on social media this week more impressive than the slow-motion, overhead angle of Anthony Richardson’s 68-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce in the Colts’ narrow loss last week.
Richardson became the first player to complete multiple passes of 50-plus air yards in a game (both went to Pierce) since Baker Mayfield in 2018, while the rest of the NFL in Week 1 had just one such completion. But interestingly, Richardson posted only a 41.0 completion percentage on passes of less than 50 air yards.
That’s perfectly fine, said former defensive end Marcus Spears on ESPN’s NFL Live Thursday. Spears said the Colts should let Richardson be himself this week at Green Bay (1 p.m. ET, FOX).
“I do expect some deep shots, whether that be an extended play or Anthony Richardson getting something off the play-action as they get the backfield going,” Spears said Thursday. “But look, when you got a gift like this, and you’ve got a coach that wants to score points, you have to use that gift. So I think this trend continues the rest of the season. They have to be conscious of the shots that they take but I doubt that we’ll see the Colts play games the rest of the year without Anthony Richardson taking deep shots.”