2026 Off-Season Thread

[Puck]

Originally Posted by albany ed

Irsay was Jonesing for AR and it is his money, his team. Ballard works for him.

And to be honest, I was hot for the young stud too. I was tired of the Colts putting used up tires on their hot rod and was anxious for a new, young star. I did however feel he should not have started immediately as many on here recommended. I felt he should have sat behind Minshew for at least the first 6 games. Not sure if that would have made any difference, but he certainly wasn't ready at seasons' beginning.

This really should put an end to the idea that it was Ballards decision. I always knew deep down that Irsay pushed for this. And the girls know it. So they were OK to give Ballard and SS time. They saw what could be done with a legit QB and they are staying

Ballard has built a pretty solid team. Need a piece here and there like most teams. But IMO we are "only" a QB away from being elite. Hopefully that is Jones

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

I am not paying for that ...... can you give the Cliff's Notes ???

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

o


Jim Irsay Opens up on the Process That Led the Colts to Anthony Richardson

(By Zak Keefer)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/447...hardson-colts/



INDIANAPOLIS — 3 hours before the draft’s first round commenced Thursday night, Anthony Richardson’s phone buzzed. Jim Irsay began with a directive.

“You can’t share this call with anyone,” the Colts owner told him. “The fact that I’m calling you.”

Irsay wanted to know a few things, starting with this: What was Richardson hearing? The Florida quarterback and projected top-10 pick was spending the afternoon of the biggest day of his life doing exactly what most would assume: waiting ...… and waiting …... and waiting.

In a few short hours, he’d find out where his pro career would start.

Richardson told Irsay he’d heard that one team was seriously interested in him.

“Did they call today?” the owner asked.

“No,” Richardson told him.

“Well, there’s a good chance you’re gonna be coming to Indy in three hours,” Irsay said.

He couldn’t guarantee it, not with the Colts picking fourth, but that was the team’s aim, the same as it had been for months. Irsay admitted Saturday he’d zeroed in on Richardson as far back as February, and even if his team owned the first overall pick, the choice would’ve been the same.

For the Colts, it was Richardson all along.

“That young man has something special in his heart and spirit and soul,” Irsay said.

But a little over three hours after that phone call, the Colts’ draft room grew tense. Two quarterbacks — Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud — were already off the board, and the Colts knew Arizona was likely to trade out of the third spot. The fear was another team coming up to get their guy, right in front of them. And Indy’s “dream goal,” Irsay admitted, was to stay at No. 4 and still land Richardson without parting with any compensation.

It was a gamble, and the stakes were immense. Irsay had waited for this night for three years, desperately wanting to revive his franchise around the talents of a young quarterback.

And for a few worrisome moments in that draft room, the thought crossed everyone’s mind. Were the Colts about to lose their shot at him ???

“Of course there was nervousness,” Irsay admitted.

But something in the Colts’ owner oozed calm. He turned to his daughters.

“We’re gonna be OK,” he told them.

Turns out, it was the Texans who’d traded up with Arizona. The pick was Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson.

Irsay was right. The Colts were OK. The room exhaled, and Richardson was theirs.

Nearly 48 hours later, the Colts’ owner relived the night that could end up reshaping his franchise, peeling back the curtain on the process and the conversations that solidified the decision. One noteworthy revelation from the owner: If Richardson wasn’t available at No. 4, the Colts would’ve gone with Kentucky’s Will Levis.

That certainly would’ve saved Levis a lot of waiting. He tumbled all the way into the second round before the Titans took him 33rd.

A critical moment in the process was a lengthy sit-down between Irsay and his new head coach, Shane Steichen, in recent weeks. All throughout the process, Steichen’s’ voice carried considerable weight in the Colts’ thinking — in Irsay’s mind, it’s Steichen’s offense, and he’s calling the plays, so the coach should have his say in who his quarterback of the future is.

“For Shane, it had to be his guy,” the owner said.

In that meeting a few weeks before the draft, Irsay didn’t hold back, pushing Steichen to detail why Richardson would improve as a passer and why he believed his play eventually would catch up to his enormous potential.

The owner had questions, like why Richardson started so few games in college.

Irsay also asked, “Why do you think he can be an outstanding passer in this league ???"

As much as Irsay and everyone in the Colts’ personnel department loves Richardson’s athletic ability — the owner called him “a superhero” multiple times Saturday — this was a crucial layer in the team’s evaluation. The scrambling ability is nice, the busted plays that end up moving the chains and instilling doubt in a defense, but Irsay knows winning from the pocket is still paramount in this league, and he knows Richardson will have to prove he can do that.

“I’ve seen enough to really feel he can become that,” Steichen assured his boss.

Another call Irsay made was to former Colts linebackers coach Brad White, who’s now the defensive coordinator at Kentucky. White had a front-row seat for not only Levis’ two seasons in Lexington but also Richardson’s start against the Wildcats last season, his worst of the year. Richardson finished with 21 incompletions, just 143 passing yards and two interceptions in a 26-16 loss.

White spoke of Richardson’s toughness and maturity. And since he knew plenty of the coaches on Florida’s staff, he shared some of the conversations he’d had with them.

“They just love the kid,” White told Irsay. “They just think the world of that young man, every single one I talk to.”

The final meeting came after the pick, after the Colts had sweated out the third pick Thursday and, then, landed their quarterback of the future. Irsay welcomed Richardson and his family to town, flying them in from Kansas City on his private jet. The quarterback sat in Irsay’s spacious office, a few feet from a half-dozen million-dollar guitars and the glistening Lombardi Trophy the Colts won after the 2006 season.

Also on hand was the last player the Colts picked fourth overall, Edgerrin James. A career that began in 1999 culminated with a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Irsay looked at Richardson at one point and told him: “You play 12 or 14 years in this league and you’re an outstanding quarterback, you’re gonna make a billion dollars. A billion. A billion.”

But the owner had more to say.

“That’s something for your family, your legacy and generations to go,” he told him, “but what about greatness? What about rings? What about the Lombardi? What about your legacy as a football player ???”

Anthony Richardson's little brother sent a message of support after he was drafted by the Colts.

And big brother gave some advice right back.

He turned to James.

“You know, I was just in Canton with this guy …... ”

Irsay’s point: If it’s your athleticism that got you this far, it’s your quarterback play that’ll define your legacy in this league.

“We talked about being a great quarterback and what that really means in this league,” the owner said Saturday. “We’re not drafting Olympic athletes. We’re drafting football players, and in this case, a quarterback.”

The most relevant question at this juncture is when will Richardson see the field ???

Irsay said it’ll be Steichen’s call ...... but deep down, the owner hinted, he wants a glimpse at the future as soon as possible.

“You get better by playing,” Irsay said Saturday. “You know, that’s the biggest benefit from it. And at the same time, I have to say, our fans have to have patience because it’s hard being a rookie quarterback. It really is.”

Richardson’s time will come, whether it’s in Week 1 or Week 8 or next season. He’s the future, the one Irsay’s been waiting for, the one he hopes changes everything in Indianapolis.

“Him developing into an outstanding, great player in this league is going to determine where we go,” the owner said.

It’s always been about the quarterback around here. The Colts now finally have one to build around.

o

o


The above article, which was originally posted by l Albany Ed, l was written in November of 2023.

o

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSunnyinIndy

By their actions, I don't think the Colts were "all in" on any of the QB's in that draft - otherwise they would have moved up from the fourth spot. Each of the top three QBs drafted had their weaknesses and I think that Irsay + the front office thought that Steichen and the coaching staff could work with any of the three and hopefully game plan around and minimize their shortcomings.

However, it was clear that Irsay wanted the Colts to draft a QB.

And it would be interesting to see how the front office actually ranked those QBs - although as I stated, clearly they didn't think it was worth it to move up to select their top ranked choice...they stayed put and selected whoever was still on the board.

Exactly. Regardless of how they ranked Young, Stroud, and Richardson... they didn't feel strong enough to make a move for one over the others.

They tried the vet QB route for several years, stumbled into an elite pick, and decided they were going to take a shot with one of the top-3 QB. If Young or Stroud were the third QB left, I think the reactions would have been the same.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

Exactly. Regardless of how they ranked Young, Stroud, and Richardson... they didn't feel strong enough to make a move for one over the others.

They tried the vet QB route for several years, stumbled into an elite pick, and decided they were going to take a shot with one of the top-3 QB. If Young or Stroud were the third QB left, I think the reactions would have been the same.

Irsay had visions of Bert Jones...but at the same time was having visions of Jimi Hendrix. Let's just say that he was in a purple haze. Steichen tried to put lipstick on the pig, but alas, he was still a pig.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Puck

They better really really love Riley Leonard if they plan to get rid of him. Jones may miss some time before he is back.

If there is a great trade before the draft fine. Otherwise I keep him to start the season then if Jones looks like he's back. trade him to a QB needy team before the trade deadline.

For the record. I do like Riley, but I think AR can still be very very good

I’m all in on Riley, I’ll go on record and say if Jones isn’t ready to start the season Riley may not give him the job back. Or if Jones starts and then misses any time for another injury, Riley will be the starter after that.

All it’s gonna take is for Riley to get out there and lead us to a couple wins

[Hoopsdoc]

Trade AR to Miami for Tua.

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by apballin

I’m all in on Riley, I’ll go on record and say if Jones isn’t ready to start the season Riley may not give him the job back. Or if Jones starts and then misses any time for another injury, Riley will be the starter after that.

All it’s gonna take is for Riley to get out there and lead us to a couple wins

I'm not all in on Riley like you are, but man, I hope you're spot on. My favorite team being led by a QB from my favorite college team? Let the good times roll.

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

Trade AR to Miami for Tua.

Have you seen Tua's contract?

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by apballin

I’m all in on Riley, I’ll go on record and say if Jones isn’t ready to start the season Riley may not give him the job back. Or if Jones starts and then misses any time for another injury, Riley will be the starter after that.

All it’s gonna take is for Riley to get out there and lead us to a couple wins

I'm not quite as confident, but was pleasantly surprised with Leonard vs JAX and HOU given the circumstances. On a play for play basis, he was operating and making throws I didn't expect.

I'm very interested to see him with another off-season with Steichen. Not sold yet, but what lottery ticket that would be.

[Oldcolt]

Man I hope this board is right about Leonard. Could happen but not holding my breathe. The football gods owe big us so I have some hope

On another QB note I am thinking there is a really good chance AR still cannot see clear enough to play QB. There hasn't been a peep out of either the Colts or AR except for Holder saying he thinks AR is going to ask to be traded (?). AR and his side haven't complained publicly once and the Colts just don't say shit about the situation. With the Colts history of gaslighting us on injuries I think there is a better than 50% chance AR is still having sight issues.