Anthony Richardson did not fully experience being a rookie last year in the NFL after he suffered an injury in October and was subsequently shut down for the rest of the season.
Although the Indianapolis Colts' fourth overall pick comes up short in on-field experience because of the setback, he does not think it took away his learning moments.
The 21-year-old quarterback is raring to return after his maiden season was cut short; this time, he thinks he is an improved player.
"Now I've gained a lot more knowledge and understanding about football and the NFL," he said in an interview with ESPN.
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"So, I'm a rookie at heart, but now I'm slowly turning into the leader that my team needs me to be."
Richardson added that he is on a mission this new season and has learned much about himself during his time out.
"I used to be really bad," he said. "The old me, we probably would have been there [throwing] for another 30 minutes. But I'm just trying to find that balance."
Promising rookie year
Richardson played just four games last season for the Colts, but in that span, he already showed why the team drafted him in fourth.
He threw his first-ever professional touchdown to Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He followed it up with two more TDs against super rookie CJ Stroud and Houston Texans before getting injured.
Richardson's most sensational game came in Week 4 when he helped his team erase a 23-point lead by the Los Angeles Rams before losing 29-23 in the overtime.
He became the first rookie in the NFL's history to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first three starts.
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