Shannon Sharpe Unleashes on Anthony Richardson After Colts’ Bizarre Philip Rivers Move
If you thought the NFL scriptwriters were running out of ideas for the 2025 season, think again. In a move that feels more like a fever dream than a front-office strategy, the Indianapolis Colts have decided to ignore their young, supposed “franchise” quarterback in favor of a man who was likely enjoying retirement with his massive family.
That’s right. With Daniel Jones down for the count with a torn Achilles, the Colts aren’t turning to former fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson. Instead, they’re dusting off 44-year-old Philip Rivers. And if you think that’s a slap in the face to Richardson, wait until you hear what Sharpe had to say about it.
Sharpe Doesn’t Minced Words on Nightcap
On a recent episode of Nightcap, the podcast that has quickly become the go-to spot for unfiltered sports takes, Sharpe absolutely tore into Richardson. While co-host Chad Ochocinco tried to play a bit of devil’s advocate, Shannon wasn’t hearing any of it.
For Sharpe, the issue isn’t just about injuries or bad luck; it’s about mentality. The Hall of Famer pointed to a specific moment that seems to have permanently stained Richardson‘s reputation in Indianapolis: the infamous “tap out.”
“I think they’re so over him,” Sharpe said, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. “You quit on your team. You tap yourself out. I’ve never ever seen or heard of a quarterback tapping himself and coming out, and then he said he was tired.”
It’s harsh, but is he wrong? In the NFL, the quarterback is supposed to be the gladiator. The guy who gets dragged off the field, not the one who waves to the sideline because he needs a breather. Sharpe comes from an era where you played until the wheels fell off, so seeing a physical specimen like Richardson pull himself out of a game clearly rubs him the wrong way.
The Disrespect of the Philip Rivers Signing
Let’s be real for a second. The Colts bringing in Philip Rivers is objectively hilarious, but it’s also a damning indictment of how the organization views Richardson.
Richardson has been medically cleared. Let that sink in. He is healthy enough to play. Yet, the Colts looked at him, looked at a 44-year-old retiree who hasn’t taken a snap in five years, and said, “Yeah, give us the old guy.”
Sharpe believes this proves the relationship is fractured beyond repair. However, he also acknowledged that the Colts aren’t entirely blameless in this disaster.
“They did him a disservice,” Sharpe admitted, referring to how the Colts threw Richardson into the fire immediately after drafting him. “They said he was a project even they took him knowing this, and they started him.”
Ochocinco Questions the Colts’ Logic
While Sharpe was focusing on Richardson’s lack of grit, Ochocinco raised a valid point about the front office. Why did they pay Daniel Jones $14 million for a one-year deal if they had any faith in Richardson?
“You knew what was coming, Unc,” Ochocinco said. “Some of the rumblings coming out of that organization, it gets out for a reason.”
Ochocinco is hinting at what we’re all thinking: maybe the Colts never really liked Richardson as much as they claimed on draft night. But even with that context, the onus falls on the player to prove the doubters wrong. Right now, Richardson isn’t doing that. He’s watching from the sidelines while a man who qualifies for AARP discounts leads the offense.
A Career at a Crossroads
The segment on Nightcap ended with Sharpe offering a blunt reality check for the young quarterback. Talent is great—Richardson is an absolute freak of nature athletically—but the NFL graveyard is full of guys who had “potential.”
“Anthony Richardson, bro, you got to make a decision, man,” Sharpe declared. “You’re immensely talented, but talent won’t cut it. This is a proven league here. Potential means you ain’t done ish yet.”
It’s a brutal assessment, but it’s the kind of tough love Richardson probably needs to hear. When you have legends of the game questioning your heart, it’s time to look in the mirror. The Colts might be a mess, and their roster moves might be baffling, but Richardson has to own his part in this narrative.
If he doesn’t, he won’t just be the guy who got benched for Philip Rivers. He’ll be another cautionary tale about how physical gifts don’t mean a thing without the mindset to match.
