Anthony Richardson is not part of the Indianapolis Colts’ future. That is now confirmed by reporting from around the league.
Richardson is no longer part of the Colts’ plans, per NFL reports. Any team acquiring the former No. 4 overall pick would have him in their system for a full season to evaluate him internally before he becomes a free agent at the end of 2026. That is a big flag for how Indianapolis views him going into what should be his fourth NFL season.
The Colts drafted Richardson in 2023 with the idea that his physical tools would translate into star quarterback play. Those tools are still there. His arm strength is elite. His mobility is on par with any quarterback in the league. He can extend plays and make throws downfield that most quarterbacks cannot dream of.
The problem has been availability and accuracy. Richardson has struggled to stay healthy. He has thrown more incompletions than a starting NFL quarterback can afford. The developmental curve that Indianapolis planned for has not materialized, and the front office has clearly moved on.
The Colts are turning the offense over to Daniel Jones, who signed with the team this offseason. Jones brings veteran stability and a clean pocket passer profile that fits new offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s system. It is not a sexy hire, but it is a functional one, and the Colts are trying to win now with Jonathan Taylor and the defense they have built.
Richardson, then, becomes trade bait. What can the Colts realistically get in return? Probably not much. He is a former first round pick, but his production has been disappointing, and any acquiring team is basically getting a low cost gamble.
A late round pick or a depth player is a fair guess for the return. The Colts might even accept a swap of picks in a future draft if that is what it takes to move on.
Who are the potential landing spots? Any team that has quarterback questions and roster flexibility could take a look. The Cleveland Browns have been struggling to figure out their quarterback situation for years. The Las Vegas Raiders continue to be unsettled at the position. The Carolina Panthers are always looking for cheap options behind Bryce Young.
The Tennessee Titans are an interesting one. Will Levis has not been the answer. Adding Richardson to compete for backup snaps could be a way to hedge without spending real money.
Richardson is 24 years old. That is still young for an NFL quarterback. He has plenty of career left. A change of scenery could actually be the best thing for him. Getting away from the Colts and the expectations that came with being the No. 4 pick might give him room to rebuild his game.
The bust label is one that hangs on quarterbacks for a long time. Justin Fields spent time trying to shake it before landing in Pittsburgh and getting a chance. Sam Darnold had to bounce around for years before landing his shot in Minnesota. Richardson could follow a similar path.
Or he could wash out. That is the reality of NFL quarterback development. Not every prospect makes it, and sometimes physical tools alone are not enough.
Either way, his time in Indianapolis appears to be ending. Watch this one before training camp opens. If a deal is going to happen, it will happen soon.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
