Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is tempering expectations for fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson.

"He's got to come in and earn his way like every player we bring in," Ballard said. "Let's not expect him to be Superman from Day 1. I think history has shown there's not many of them that are Superman from Day 1. Some of them it takes two, three years for them to become a really good player. ... It's the one area where ... the pressure for these guys after one or two years (is higher). Back 10, 15 years ago, guys would get year three, four, five (to prove themselves).

"Think about it," the general manager continued. "Terry Bradshaw, he might have never played in today's NFL. It took him time in Pittsburgh. ... We've got to let these guys develop and play. They're going to have some struggles and then they've got to work through the struggles and eventually, their talent -- the more they play, their talent will come to life."

It's possible that Gardner Minshew, signed in free agency, could start over Richardson to begin the 2023 season.

Michael Pittman, Jr. is in line for a contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

The wide receiver, who had 99 catches for 925 yards and four touchdowns last season, was a second round pick in 2020.

"I wouldn't say it's a goal. I think that happens naturally with performance," Pittman said. "And if it doesn't happen this year, that's no big deal. I mean, it'll happen eventually. I just kind of let that business side -- just leave that to my agent."

Shane Steichen has suggested the Indianapolis Colts are more preoccupied with the upcoming NFL draft than a potential pursuit of Lamar Jackson.

"We're focused on the draft and I'm focused on the guys that are in the building right now," said the first-year head coach, whose team kicked off its offseason program this week. "That's where we're at."

The Colts have the fourth overall pick, putting them in position to select one of the top quarterbacks.

Jim Irsay recently said he was opposed to yielding the two first-round picks it would take to acquire Jackson if the Colts signed him to an offer sheet that the Baltimore Ravens opted not to match. Those picks, Irsay said, "are like gold."

"Our belief, and my belief, has always been you build through the draft, the draft is your pipeline for success or failure," Irsay said. "That is where it's at."

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud will visit with the Indianapolis Colts later this week, according to a report.

Stroud also met with the Colts earlier this month.

The report states that he'll also meet with the Detroit Lions this week. The visits will come after Stroud sits down with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday.

Jim Irsay wants the Indianapolis Colts to draft a quarterback with the fourth overall pick later this month, according to a report.

The Colts have been linked to quarterbacks leading up to the draft after years of shuffling veteran QBs in-and-out following Andrew Luck's retirement.

C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are expected to be the first and second picks, but the Colts would still have Will Levis and/or Anthony Richardson on the board when the select.