WESTFIELD – The greatest sign of how this year’s training camp could be different at Grand Park Sports Campus came when Jonathan Taylor entered the media tent Wednesday morning. The veteran running back wore a wide smile and a t-shirt featuring the likeness of quarterback Anthony Richardson during his days at the University of Florida. Optimism springs eternal throughout the NFL on camp report day.
But a happy and healthy Taylor paired with a hungry and healthy Richardson provides a powerful engine for Indianapolis Colts fans’ dreams. “It’s almost like when you go to take a test,” Taylor said of his confidence heading into the 2024 season. “When you know you haven’t been studying, you kind of have that seed of doubt.
But when you know you’ve had a full offseason of preparation – the time, the sweat equity you put in – you just can’t wait to go and attack it.” The Colts haven’t generated a lot of national buzz after following up a 9-8 season in the first year under head coach Shane Steichen with a relatively quiet offseason. Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew – who went 7-6 in 13 starts in place of Richardson – got $15 million in guarantees to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders and has been replaced by veteran Joe Flacco.
Beyond that, Indianapolis’ offseason included a host of re-signings – most notably wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. – and a pair of highly touted draft picks. The Colts took the first defensive player off the board -- UCLA.