In the Premier Madden League, the spotlight often shines on quarterbacks who can carve defenses apart through the air. But this season, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is rewriting the narrative by forcing defenses to respect not only his arm but also his legs. Through 10 games, Richardson’s dual-threat abilities have him on pace for one of the greatest rushing seasons by a quarterback in both league history and the NFL record books.
Based on his current production, Richardson is tracking toward 1,197 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns over a full 17-game slate. That type of output would not only shatter expectations for a quarterback but also place him in exclusive company among the most electrifying rushing QBs the game has ever seen.
The Company He’s Chasing
To put Richardson’s pace into perspective, let’s look at some of the NFL’s most iconic single-season quarterback rushing performances:
- Lamar Jackson (2019): 1,206 yards – Jackson’s MVP season with the Ravens redefined what a quarterback could do on the ground, as he juked, spun, and sprinted his way past defenders for the highest total in league history.
- Justin Fields (2022): 1,143 yards – Fields displayed his explosive athleticism in Chicago, combining speed and strength to carry a struggling Bears offense on his back.
- Michael Vick (2006): 1,039 yards – The original blueprint for the dual-threat quarterback, Vick’s record stood for more than a decade as the standard for rushing QBs.
Now, Richardson’s projected 1,197 yards would slot him right in between Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields, surpassing Vick’s iconic 2006 campaign and making him just the second quarterback ever to break the 1,150-yard barrier in a single season.
Touchdown Machine
While rushing yards often grab the headlines, Richardson’s touchdown pace may be even more remarkable. His projection of 17 rushing touchdowns would be unprecedented at the quarterback position. For context, Cam Newton, one of the most physically dominant rushing QBs in history, set a high standard with 14 rushing touchdowns in his 2011 rookie season. Richardson’s current trajectory would blow past that mark, setting a new gold standard for rushing quarterbacks in the end zone.
The ability to punch it in when drives reach the red zone has made Richardson not just a highlight machine but also a dependable weapon in critical moments. His physicality on designed runs, paired with his improvisation when plays break down, gives Indianapolis an edge few defenses have been able to solve.
Impact on the Colts and the League
For the Colts, Richardson’s success as a rusher has provided balance to an offense that has been inconsistent through the air at times. Defenses are forced to account for him on every snap, opening lanes for the running backs and creating opportunities for play-action passes downfield.
In the Premier Madden League, where defensive coordinators pride themselves on taking away strengths, Richardson has become a nightmare assignment. Even when opponents sell out to stop the run, his combination of power and speed makes him nearly impossible to contain for an entire game.
The ripple effect across the league is clear: teams are beginning to build their defenses with Richardson in mind, much like the NFL did during Lamar Jackson’s MVP run.
Building His Own Legacy
While it’s far too early to crown Richardson as the greatest rushing quarterback in Premier Madden League history, his 2025 campaign is certainly setting the foundation. If he finishes close to his projected totals, he’ll not only join Lamar, Fields, and Vick in the pantheon of elite rushing seasons but may also set a record that future dual-threat quarterbacks will struggle to touch.
For Richardson, the goal is not just statistical milestones but wins. The Colts remain in the thick of a playoff push, and his legs have been the engine powering them forward. Still, it’s impossible to ignore how his numbers stack up against the legends of the game.
Conclusion
Anthony Richardson’s projected 1,197 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns put him on a collision course with history. In a league full of dynamic athletes, his ability to dominate on the ground places him in rare air alongside Lamar Jackson, Justin Fields, and Michael Vick. But if his touchdown pace holds, he may walk away with something none of them achieved—a single-season rushing performance that redefines what’s possible at the quarterback position.
The Premier Madden League has seen many storylines over the years, but Richardson’s march toward history may be one of the most captivating yet.
