Colts QB Anthony Richardson to work with biometrics expert in offseason

The third-year quarterback is slated to train with Chris Hess, the renowned guru who ‘fixed’ Josh Allen’s mechanics.

Anthony Richardson’s sophomore campaign saw more setbacks than it did steps in the right direction. A season marred by off-the-field antics, so much so that it trickled into becoming an on-the-field concern, Richardson’s second year as an NFL starting QB proved that he still has a ways to go, in multiple facets.

Welcoming questions and concerns in all phases of being a franchise QB is not how Anthony Richardson pictured nor wanted his second season in the NFL to go, especially after returning from a season-ending injury that cut his rookie season short. Still, he’s looking to right his wrongs in the offseason — his first full offseason free from injury.

Richardson’s durability concerns are undeniably valid at this point in his career. He missed the majority of his rookie season and followed that up by six more games as a second-year player — four games missed due to injury while two missed games were spent serving a demotion.

Injury concerns aside, Richardson is poised to better himself as an NFL quarterback in his first full offseason since entering the league with a trip to the Chris Hess self-discovery center of quarterbacking.

Who is Chris Hess?

Hess, founder of Biometrek, uses biomechanics to analyze athletes’ movements and ‘fix’ the false steps of sorts that limit them from reaching their potential.

According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Anthony Richardson will pair up with Hess to work on simplifying the ‘easy’ short throws when training back in Florida this offseason, as well as trying to implement more touch on his throws. Richardson’s technique will be centerstage in this makeover process as his mechanics will be reworked.

Hess’s most prized possession thus far is that of Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen’s surge to superstardom after proving to be a raw product two years into his NFL career.

Heading into his third season in the NFL, Allen was sitting with a 55.8% career completion percentage. In 2020, Allen posted a 69% completion percentage after just one offseason with Chris Hess.

In 2020, after working with Chris Hess, Josh Allen evolved into his next form. Allen’s completion percentage jumped +17% from his rookie year, an NFL record improvement over a two-year span.

In a clip from NFL Films, HOF QB Troy Aikman discusses how Allen’s improvement, especially in a short time, is something he previously felt was impossible to achieve. “I’ve always believed that accuracy is something that you really can’t coach. Guys can either put the ball where they want to put it or they can’t,” said Aikman. “Josh Allen proved me wrong on this.”

When asked how this abrupt pivot to mechanics can be internalized as common knowledge moving forward, Josh Allen explained that repetition is key.

“A lot of reps. There are still certain times when you’re in the pocket, it feels like you let one go over the top, and you’re back too far on your left leg, you have to have certain reminders,” Allen said. “Right before I’m going out to the field when I’m throwing the ball, it’s like, alright, I’m not going to move left foot here. I’m just going to throw a few to my equipment manager and just stay right here. Once you get that feeling, you’re locked in. Now go play the game.”

Josh Allen went as far as saying that Chris Hess is, “The most influential person in my mechanical career.” Not only does this prove that Hess was instrumental in getting Allen to the next level, but it shows that a drastic change in not only production but muscle memory is possible for righting the ship like so.

Does Anthony Richardson require an even bigger leap than Josh Allen did?

It certainly doesn’t bode well for Richardson that his concerns as an NFL player after two seasons are as follows: accuracy, health, and leadership/maturity.

With that being said, each setback from Richardson has been welcomed with a concerted effort to right his wrongs. Some may argue that Richardson’s need to experience the lows to understand them is indicative of his leadership ability, though it could be argued his young age, coupled with his overall inexperience as a quarterback, explains why. It shouldn’t absolve Richardson from his shortcomings thus far but rather explain why his development has been so shaky to begin his NFL career.

When it comes to statistics, however, we’ll take a quick look at just how similar Richardson and Allen’s first two seasons were and anticipate how large of a jump Chris Hess will need to assist with.

And as a disclaimer, so that people don’t think I’m attempting to compare Richardson and Allen as players as they currently stand, below will be both players’ first 15 starts in the NFL — to show you what Chris Hess had to work with when he first began working with Allen versus what he’s in for with Richardson this offseason.

Josh Allen (first 15 starts): 235-423 (55.5%), 2,824 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 33 sacks taken, 115 rushes for 736 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, 12 fumbles

Anthony Richardson (first 15 starts): 176-348 (50.6%), 2,391 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 21 sacks taken, 111 rushes for 635 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, 12 fumbles

Richardson had more injury setbacks than Allen through each of their first two seasons in the NFL, which is, as previously mentioned, an undeniable concern. However, this is why I’ve chosen to include their rushing splits as well, given their similarities as big-bodied, downhill rushers from the quarterback position.

Hess will have his work cut out for him this offseason, and his past work with Allen doesn’t guarantee the same fate for Richardson, but its precedence will certainly excite fans — and for good reason. Of course, only time will tell if Hess’ magic potion can be replicated, but even if the progression in question can even slightly be found within Richardson, then the trajectory will finally be pointing upwards in Indianapolis.