The Indianapolis Colts may be ready to admit the Anthony Richardson experiment is over. Trade speculation has intensified as the team has reportedly grown increasingly confident in Riley Leonard as the long-term answer at quarterback.
Richardson was the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, and his rookie contract still has years remaining on it. The talent has always been obvious. The 6-foot-4 athlete throws a heavy ball, runs like a tailback, and flashes the kind of arm strength that makes scouts dream. The problem has been everything else. Accuracy, decision making, durability, and the willingness to actually study and prepare like an NFL quarterback have all been question marks.
Leonard is a different kind of player. He is more polished as a passer, more accurate on intermediate throws, and demonstrably more comfortable running an NFL offense. The Colts drafted him with the idea that he could push Richardson, and reports out of OTAs suggest Leonard has done more than push. He has won the job in everything but name.
Trading Richardson is the natural next step. The Colts cannot keep paying first round quarterback money to a backup, and Richardson’s trade value gets lower the longer he sits. Multiple teams are reportedly intrigued by what the right offensive coordinator could do with his physical tools. The Steelers, Browns, and Saints have all been mentioned in early speculation, though none of those rumors have been firmly sourced.
The return for Richardson is going to be a fraction of what the Colts paid to get him. That is the cost of admitting a high draft pick did not work. A second-round pick or a package built around a Day 2 selection feels about right based on how the market typically values reclamation quarterback projects.
From a football perspective, the move makes sense for both sides. Richardson gets a fresh start with a coaching staff that can build a system around his unique skill set. The Colts get to commit fully to Leonard and stop having the quarterback conversation every week.
Whether this actually happens before training camp depends on whether a real offer materializes. The Colts are not going to give Richardson away for nothing, but they are also not in a position of leverage. Something will get done. The only question is when.
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.
