The relationship between the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Anthony Richardson appears to be coming to an end.
According to sources cited by NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, both parties have mutually agreed to explore a trade. The Colts’ front office met with Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, Thursday morning and determined that pursuing trade options would be in everyone’s best interest.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, entered the league with an impressive athletic profile, but injuries hampered his rookie season. In 2024, he struggled with accuracy and consistency, appearing in 11 games. Last year, he lost the starting job to Daniel Jones, played in just two games without starts, and suffered an orbital bone fracture during pregame warmups in Week 6.
Over three seasons since the Colts invested a top-five pick in the Florida product, Richardson has completed 50.6% of 350 pass attempts for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
One potential landing spot is the Minnesota Vikings, who are reportedly looking to bolster their quarterback room alongside J.J. McCarthy and have shown interest in Richardson.
Earlier this week, Colts GM Chris Ballard dismissed the notion that Richardson’s time in Indianapolis was over, noting that the quarterback has been cleared from his injury. “I’m not gonna say he needs a complete fresh start,” Ballard said at the Scouting Combine. “Anthony’s still young. He’s still developing. So we’ll see what the future holds. But I still believe in Anthony.”
After Thursday’s discussions, though, it’s clear the organization believes Richardson’s path forward lies elsewhere. While his athleticism makes him an intriguing rehabilitation project, any trade return will likely fall far short of the value of a top-five pick.
Richardson’s situation mirrors that of other highly drafted quarterbacks like Trey Lance, who struggled to establish themselves after early career setbacks. In the right system, Richardson’s speed and deep-ball ability could make him a dynamic player, but the NFL has rarely been forgiving to quarterbacks who need time to develop on the field.
Typically, when teams agree to explore trade options, a release may follow if no deal emerges. Whether the Colts keep Richardson as insurance against injury or move on entirely remains uncertain. What is certain is that his future in Indianapolis is over.
