WESTFIELD, Ind. — Jonathan Taylor walked down the sideline during Colts training camp Thursday wearing the same stoic look on his face as he’s had the five practices before. His hoodie was pulled up and his eyes were straight ahead as fans screamed his name with no acknowledgment from Taylor. One young fan even yelled, “Don’t leave the Colts!” within earshot of Taylor, though he didn’t respond.
All eyes have been on the star running back, who remains at odds with the franchise, but he isn’t the only Colts player entering a contract year. Michael Pittman Jr. was drafted seven spots ahead of Taylor in 2020, and while each player has emerged as the best at his respective position in Indianapolis, neither has received an extension.
Taylor responded by requesting a trade, while Pittman is busy trying to build chemistry with rookie QB Anthony Richardson and veteran Gardner Minshew. Whoever wins the starting job will mark Pittman’s fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback in four years. Preparing for that transition has been at the forefront of Pittman’s mind — far more so than his contract negotiations.
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Could Jonathan Taylor refuse to play for the Colts this season? It’s complicated
“Do I expect (an extension)? I don’t really expect nothing, really,” Pittman said. “If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t happen, then, yeah, I would play my (rookie contract) out without an extension.”
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t pondered a lucrative second deal.
“I think every player wants to get paid,” Pittman said, smiling. “I wouldn’t mind it.”
The grin on Pittman’s face stood in stark contrast with Taylor’s stoic demeanor regarding their contracts, but there’s an obvious reason why. Pittman is a wide receiver, and as the NFL has shown in recent years, his position has become much more valuable than Taylor’s. So, unlike his unhappy teammate, Pittman’s big payday isn’t a matter of if, but when. Whether the Colts extend him, franchise tag him for a projected $22.9 million in 2024, according to OverTheCap, or let him enter free agency next summer, his financial future is bright.
All Pittman has to do is stay healthy and produce under new coach Shane Steichen, though as he’s hinted this offseason, he’s confident he could “flourish in any system.”
The 25-year-old has only missed five games in three seasons. He’s totaled 227 receptions for 2,510 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pro, despite Indianapolis’ inability to find a long-term quarterback. The Colts may have found him with Richardson, whom Pittman said is getting “that accelerated vision” that will help him improve his timing and accuracy in the NFL.
“I’m not much of a quarterback, so it’s hard for me to give quarterback advice,” Pittman said, laughing. “ … Basically the only thing I tell him is whenever he’s in trouble, I’m open. It doesn’t matter if I’m covered. I’m still open. Throw it.”
Richardson’s reps
Richardson completed two passes to Pittman on Thursday, including a slant route during an 11-on-11 two-minute drill that concluded with a 58-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay. The rookie QB played all of the starting reps in 11-on-11 for the second straight practice and finished 8-of-13 passing, improving from Tuesday’s 5-of-13 showing. Richardson threw his first touchdown pass of training camp to rookie running back Evan Hull during a red zone session, but his most impressive throw came on a comeback route to receiver Alec Pierce in the middle of the field.
However, Richardson’s day wasn’t flawless. He dropped a snap from Ryan Kelly and was picked off for the second straight practice, this time by Darrell Baker Jr. The second-year cornerback jumped another Pierce comeback route on Richardson’s first throw of the day, and the rookie QB clapped his hands in frustration afterward.
“It’s not gonna always be perfect. Shoot, he’s learning a new system,” Steichen said. “(He’s) got a lot to learn, and you go through and correct those things, and he’s taking coaching really well. He does a great job. He’s always wanting to learn and listen and ask questions, and that’s a great sign for quarterbacks.”
Minshew finished 9-of-16 passing in 11-on-11 work, including a dropped interception by sixth-year cornerback Kevin Tolliver II. Backup center Wesley French also delivered two bad snaps to Minshew, including one that sailed completely over Minshew’s head. The second-team offense moved better in the two-minute drill with Minshew than the first unit with Richardson, but the drive wasn’t as fruitful since Gay missed a 42-yard field goal attempt to conclude practice.
Richardson has roughly 20 more starting reps in 11-on-11 than Minshew through the first six practices, despite being sidelined during Monday’s practice due to nasal septum surgery. Steichen said the reason Richardson started for the second straight practice was because he missed one, rather than him taking the lead in the quarterback race. It’s still an open competition.
“The biggest thing is just I want to see growth,” Steichen said of the offense as a whole. “Just being efficient on offense. Shoot, not getting three-and-outs, just keeping the ball moving, getting completions, running the ball efficiently and going from there.”
Rigoberto’s return
Rigoberto Sanchez is officially back.
The seven-year pro boomed his first punt last week, much to the delight of his teammates, and he has been a full go throughout training camp after tearing his right Achilles last August. Sanchez called his return to the gridiron “surreal” following a grueling rehab.
“I learned how strong I really am,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t think I could be that strong, really, and my wife as well. Everybody that was in my corner just helped me get here. I’m just very thankful for all of the sacrifices that I went through to be here.”
Sanchez rounds out a talented trio of specialists that includes Gay, a former Super Bowl champion, and two-time All-Pro long snapper Luke Rhodes.
Injury update
Rookie cornerback Darius Rush returned from a shoulder injury and participated in his first training camp practice Thursday. The fifth-round pick, who was out for most of OTAs and veteran minicamp due to a hamstring injury, has some ground to make up if he wants a chance to start at cornerback, where the Colts are very inexperienced.
“It’s good to see him out there,” Steichen said. “Those young guys, as many reps as they can get is going to make them better.”
Steichen had no update on Taylor and said star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who left practice early Thursday, sustained a foot injury.
Linebacker Liam Anderson (arm), strong safety Julian Blackmon (ankle), cornerback Julius Brents (hamstring), defensive end Samson Ebukam (hamstring), right guard Emil Ekiyor Jr. (undisclosed), linebacker E.J. Speed (ankle), offensive tackle Jake Witt (hip) and tight end Jelani Woods (hamstring) remained out.
(Photo of Michael Pittman Jr.: Mykal McEldowney / USA Today
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