What’s Next for Colts' QB Gardner Minshew?

After losing the QB1 battle, what is in store for Gardner Minshew with the Indianapolis Colts?

On Tuesday, August 15th, the Indianapolis Colts made a bold statement to the rest of the football world by naming Anthony Richardson the starting quarterback. 

While it’s a huge moment for the franchise, and certainly what almost every fan wanted to hear, something that won’t get discussed as much is how does Gardner Minshew feel? The fun loving guy who took the world by storm during “Minshew Mania,” and made everyone fall in love with his mullet and mustache, was on the wrong side of this battle. 

Minshew was honest when asked about how he feels after losing the QB battle.

“You’re hurt, obviously," Minshew said. "Anytime you put so much into something, it can be disappointing when you don’t hear what you want to hear. I totally understand, I’m all in with what we got going. I can't stress enough, I’m really excited for Anthony”. 

You hear that quote and can’t help but to feel awful for the guy. Minshew knew this had a good chance of happening back when he signed with the Colts. But as players, you always think you can defy the odds.

Minshew deserves to be applauded for the way he has handled this entire process. He has truly been better than anyone could have imagined throughout the QB battle. Talking to coaches on staff, and they all echo that what you see on camera is the exact same way he is behind the scenes. Minshew is always encouraging Richardson, pulling him to the side and giving him advice and just doing all the little things that he can to make sure Richardson is prepared.

Now that Minshew is officially QB2, he now has a new job. This job is one he’s already been doing to a degree, and that’s helping get the new QB 1 ready to play on Sundays. When asked about his role after practice, Minshew had this to say. 

“Just try to come out and do the best I can, lead the group, whatever I’m with. Super excited for Anthony (Richardson) and the opportunity that he has. This is his franchise. That’s the reason they picked him where he is, and he’s going to be really special. I’m excited to work, continue to get better and figure out how to win some games around here.”

You have to love and admire his makeup. Minshew is just an all -round great dude and is taking this news as well as you can hope somebody could that’s so disappointed.

Minshew will be essential to helping Richardson grasp the more nuanced things that maybe Shane Steichen can’t translate to Richardson without being on the field. There are certain things within the offense that only Minshew will be able to show Richardson due to the fact that he’s actually been out there and ran it.

While I know most people will say he’s making $3.5 million to hold a clipboard and that should be thanks enough, sometimes you can’t put a price on watching your dreams fade a bit. Things like this take its toll on the human mind and can wear you down after happening multiple times. 

In this difficult time for Minshew, I just want to say thank you for coming in here and competing. You deserve your flowers from Colts Nation!

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