The Indianapolis Colts found their future quarterback leader on April 27, 2023, by selecting Anthony Richardson in the first round of the NFL Draft. But a month prior to settling on Richardson, the Colts made a previous pivotal QB decision, one that’s starting to benefit the team as Indy remains in the postseason hunt.
Reasons Why Colts Signed Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew was the first important QB decision the Colts made this offseason before drafting the towering and freakishly athletic Florida Gators star.
For Indy, why sign a 27-year-old who ended up on his third NFL team? Those reasons are starting to reveal itself.
MORE: Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
For starters, Minshew had familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen and the offense he was installing. The veteran was with Steichen when both were chasing the NFC title with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Secondly, Minshew’s past playing experience for a playoff-caliber franchise has clearly carried over to the Colts. His head coach noticed Minshew’s effect back in September when Indianapolis needed to turn to him.
“Credit to him, what he does week in and week out to get prepared for games and to do what he did in that game, to come off the bench and have the success he had, it shows how prepared he is,” Steichen told reporters on Sept. 20.
Minshew himself embraced the reason he was signed to a one-year deal — to lead by example, especially if a change behind center is needed.
“They have to know you’re ready, that you’re dialed in, that you haven’t been just sitting over there messing around on scout team, that you know the plan,” Minshew said with the Indianapolis media.
“I think if you do that, you show you’re prepared and ready, the guys will follow.”
How ‘Minshew Mania’ Has Fared in Indy
Minshew has used his experience and leadership to keep the Colts afloat in the AFC playoff race. He’s 2-3 overall as the Colts starter, but he’s helped lead Indianapolis to some signature wins.
Minshew hit 19 completions on 23 attempts for 171 yards and completed 82.6% of his throws in the 31-20 road win over the Houston Texans — the same Texans currently 4-4 overall and featuring dynamic rookie QB C.J. Stroud.
But that wasn’t Minshew’s only highlight road win. He guided Indianapolis to the upset win over the Baltimore Ravens…that same Ravens team sitting at 7-2 overall. Minshew completed 27 of 44 passes for 227 yards, including hitting four straight completions on the drive that set up the overtime-forcing field goal prior to kicker Matt Gay hitting the 53-yarder for the win in OT.
Minshew hasn’t needed to put up astronomical numbers, either. He’s completed 63.6% of his throws, has flung eight touchdowns, and has been picked off just five times.
Minshew’s proven to the Colts and their fans that he was the right guy to lead the team in the event Richardson went down or wasn’t ready. Richardson ended up enduring the former, and all Minshew has done is keep the Colts’ name alive in a traffic-filled Wild Card race.
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