Booger McFarland Sounds the Alarm: ‘Everyone in Indy Needs Richardson Healthy’ — Is the Colts’ Season Riding on His Durability?”

The Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 campaign is approaching with anticipation, optimism, and a fair amount of skepticism, thanks to one defining variable: the health of quarterback Anthony Richardson. After an electric yet injury-shortened rookie season, Richardson remains a polarizing figure for both fans and analysts alike. Now, former NFL defensive lineman and current analyst Booger McFarland has weighed in with a stark warning: “Everyone in Indy needs Richardson healthy.” His message isn’t just about durability—it’s a challenge to the Colts’ entire strategy and future, wrapped in the reality of what happens when a franchise quarterback can’t stay on the field.

Richardson’s promise is undeniable. In the few games he played during his debut season, he showed flashes of elite-level talent that made Indianapolis take a bold swing in the 2023 NFL Draft. A physical specimen with a cannon for an arm, breakaway speed, and elite improvisational skills, Richardson brought a dual-threat dynamic to the Colts that had been missing since the Andrew Luck era ended. But while the upside is there, so too are the concerns. The fact that Richardson couldn’t finish his rookie season due to a season-ending shoulder injury looms heavily over any discussion about his long-term viability. That is the very reason why Booger McFarland’s words ring loud in the ears of Colts fans and NFL followers alike.

McFarland’s assertion isn’t rooted in bias but experience. Having played in the trenches and watched quarterbacks from the front lines, McFarland understands what happens to teams when their offensive leader is in constant flux. Quarterback instability often equals organizational chaos. Just look around the league—teams with elite, healthy quarterbacks have continuity, rhythm, and a sense of identity. Those without, drift. That’s where the Colts find themselves—a team that can’t afford to drift anymore.

Since Luck’s abrupt retirement in 2019, the Colts have rotated through quarterbacks like a carousel: Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger. Nothing stuck. The front office finally broke the cycle by drafting Richardson as their franchise quarterback of the future. But that plan only works if the future actually arrives. McFarland’s warning, then, is as much about avoiding the ghosts of seasons past as it is about embracing a future that looks increasingly bright—if, and only if, Richardson can remain upright.

The Colts’ offensive game plan is built around Richardson’s rare skill set. Head coach Shane Steichen crafted a system that maximizes his strengths—read options, deep throws off play action, RPOs, and designed quarterback runs. The problem? That very system also exposes him to hits from defenders that are bigger, faster, and smarter than what he saw in college. Every designed run or broken play that leads Richardson into open field is a gamble. Can he slide fast enough? Will he throw it away instead of taking a sack? Is he willing to sacrifice a highlight reel moment to avoid a second-and-forever scenario caused by injury?

Therein lies the battle between durability and play style. Richardson is built like a tank, but NFL defenses are unforgiving. His frame can absorb hits better than most, but the shoulder injury proved that even he has limits. Learning how to manage that is part of his development curve. Cam Newton, who Richardson is often compared to, faced similar challenges. For a few glorious years, Newton was indestructible. Then, the hits accumulated, and his career trajectory shifted. That’s the cautionary tale McFarland alludes to.

But while McFarland raises the red flag, many in Colts Nation remain firmly in Richardson’s corner. To them, his potential is worth every risk. They see a quarterback who could become the next superstar. They remember his dazzling touchdowns, his calm under pressure, and the way teammates rallied around him. In their eyes, Richardson isn’t a gamble—he’s the reward. For them, backing him 100% isn’t just about faith; it’s about believing that the Colts finally have a player who can lift the franchise out of years of mediocrity.

There’s also reason to believe that Richardson has learned from his early setback. Reports from training camp indicate he’s working on quicker reads, better decision-making, and smarter slide techniques. Shane Steichen has hinted at installing more quick-game concepts and limiting Richardson’s designed runs early in the season. The goal is to keep him upright while still letting him be who he is—dynamic, instinctual, and electric. There’s a delicate balance between protecting a player and restricting what makes him special. The Colts seem aware of that and are adjusting accordingly.

Still, no amount of coaching can completely shield Richardson from the reality of the NFL. Injuries happen, and availability is always the most valuable ability. Booger McFarland’s point isn’t to undercut Richardson, but to highlight how much hinges on his health. The Colts have put their chips on the table. Their defense is young but fast. The offensive line has improved, led by stalwart Quenton Nelson. The skill players—Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs—are solid. But none of it matters if Richardson isn’t healthy. That’s what makes McFarland’s comments feel like more than just hot-take TV. They’re a forecast. And everyone in Indy hopes the storm never comes.

If Richardson misses extended time, the Colts don’t have a proven fallback. The presence of a veteran like Daniel Jones, who joined the team this offseason, is helpful. But Jones isn’t a long-term answer or a stylistic match for what Steichen wants to run. The offense would have to be reshaped, and momentum would be lost. That’s the doomsday scenario McFarland warns about—not because he wants it to happen, but because he knows how quickly a season can unravel when the quarterback room becomes a triage unit.

For Richardson, the pressure is twofold: perform and stay healthy. That’s an incredibly heavy burden for a second-year player, but it’s one that comes with being the face of a franchise. His talent is rare, his charisma magnetic, and his ceiling sky-high. But if his body can’t handle the weekly grind, then all of that is for naught. The Colts have made him the centerpiece of everything. Their playoff hopes, their rebuild timeline, and their relevance in the AFC all revolve around his availability.

Booger McFarland’s warning, then, is really a reminder. It’s a call to fans, coaches, teammates, and even Richardson himself. Don’t take health for granted. Build schemes that protect him. Encourage smarter decisions in the open field. Invest in line depth, develop a competent backup, and, most importantly, let Richardson grow without forcing him to be Superman every snap. That’s how you maximize longevity and increase the odds that his immense potential turns into long-term success.

And that’s what it ultimately comes down to. Colts fans aren’t backing Richardson blindly. They’re backing the belief that with proper growth and protection, he can become the kind of player that makes warnings like McFarland’s obsolete. He can be the one who rewrites the narrative—not the next cautionary tale.

For now, though, the spotlight remains. So does the concern. The season hasn’t started, but the stakes are already clear. Richardson needs to stay healthy not just for his own development, but for the future of a franchise that has waited long enough for a savior. McFarland’s alarm is loud—but maybe, just maybe, it’s exactly what the Colts needed to hear.