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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Indianapolis Colts took a gamble when they selected quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, betting on upside despite the raw resume.
And for stretches, it looked like the gamble might have paid off.
But Richardson's also dealt with several injuries since the moment he arrived in the NFL, and after he lost the starting job outright to a veteran Daniel Jones last year, the Colts granted him permission to seek a trade in February, turning to "Indiana Jones" as their potential long-term answer at QB.
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Trade rumors have been swirling since, with multiple franchises still being linked to Richardson. At just 24 years old with a 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame, the potential hasn't gone anywhere — even if he hasn't yet lived up to it.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Colts general manager Chris Ballard emphasized that Richardson's trade request is still in place, but the franchise isn't willing to just "give him away" and expects him to remain in Indianapolis for the time being.
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Richardson started in the Colts' season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars during his rookie year, and completed 64.9% of his passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, along with 40 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown — a pretty impressive NFL debut for somebody many viewed as a raw prospect.
Then a concussion knocked him out in Week 2. He came back two weeks later and posted 200 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown with zero interceptions against the Rams, but completed just 44% of his passes. He only appeared in one more game that season before being placed on injured reserve with an AC joint sprain.
Richardson again opened as the Colts starter in 2024, but he was benched midway through the year after voluntarily taking himself out of a game against the Houston Texans and was inconsistent in the games he did see the field. He also missed the last two games of the season with a back injury.
He finished Year 2 with 1,814 passing yards, eight touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a brutal completion percentage of just 47.7%. He also rushed for 499 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Indianapolis then signed Jones last offseason, who looked like a legitimate MVP candidate last season before tearing his Achilles. But with Jones now healthy, Richardson's future with the Colts has felt uncertain.
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The Colts have committed to Jones, and with Richardson entering the final year of his rookie deal — after Indy chose not to exercise his fifth-year option — teams around the league appear content to wait and see if he hits free agency after this season.
Indianapolis invested significant draft capital in Richardson. Watching him walk away for nothing in return would be a tough outcome for the franchise, and for Ballard in particular.
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