Anthony Richardson

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Not Seeking Trade

September 4th, 2025 at 9:21am CST by Adam La Rose

Anthony Richardson lost out to Daniel Jones for the Colts’ starting quarterback competition. His future with the team has been questioned as a result, in part due to comments made the former No. 4 pick’s agent about a lack of trust from the organization.

In the wake of those remarks, a meeting between Richardson’s agent (Deiric Jackson) and general manager Chris Ballard recently took place. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the parties met in person last week, with Jackson describing the talks as “very constructive.” The possibility of a trade was discussed, but no request for a change of scenery was issued during the conversation.

Of course, Ballard has publicly committed to keeping Richardson in the fold for 2025. A tepid trade market would no doubt exist given the 23-year-old’s struggles so far in the NFL. Richardson has made just 15 starts through his first two seasons with the Colts, dealing with a number of injuries along the way. When on the field, he has struggled with inconsistency in the passing game (50.6% career completion percentage) while showcasing potential in terms of rushing production.

For now, at least, Jones is set to handle starting duties. The former Giant received over $13MM fully guaranteed from the Colts in free agency, a strong indication he would get the nod early in the campaign. A consistent showing under center through the opening weeks of the season would be welcomed by all involved, including a Colts regime seeking a long-term answer at the QB spot. Only signed through 2025, Jones is unlikely to fit the bill, but he could buy time for Richardson to develop without seeing game time.

The Florida product will be the subject of a fifth-year option decision next spring. If it is declined, Richardson’s rookie deal will expire after the 2026 campaign. Plenty of time remains for a call on that front to be made, but a mutual desire currently exists for a parting of ways to be avoided.

Colts Will Not Trade QB Anthony Richardson

August 27th, 2025 at 6:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

Anthony Richardson lost out to Daniel Jones in the Colts’ quarterback competition this summer, but he is still in the team’s plans for at least the time being. General manager Chris Ballard made it clear on Wednesday no Richardson trade is being considered at this time.

“I know the negativity and it’s easy to say, okay, he’s done,” Ballard said of the 2023 No. 4 pick (via the team’s website). “And I don’t agree — I’ve said this numerous times — I do not agree with that. I’m proud of Anthony, of where he’s at, how far he’s come. He’s come miles… And there’s a lot of value in sitting behind a guy that’s a professional and watching and learning and growing and working on the things you need to work on without the same pressure of being the starter.”

Richardson played just four games as a rookie before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The 23-year-old struggled when healthy last year, and at times he was benched in favor of backup Joe Flacco. Indianapolis prioritized adding a veteran signal-caller this offseason, and Jones departed Minnesota knowing a starting gig would be on offer. The former Giant (added on a one-year pact including over $13MM guaranteed) will look to offer stability under center in contrast to Richardson’s inconsistent showings – which, to date, have not been enough to end his Indianapolis tenure.

“There’s examples of guys that have had rough starts to their careers and have absolutely bounced back and had good careers,” Ballard added. “And there’s examples of guys who’ve been benched who come back and play.”

After Richardson completed just 47.7% of his passes and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (eight), any trade undertaken at this point would contain little in the way of value coming back to the Colts. The Florida product has demonstrated his rushing upside when on the field, but that alone would not entice much in the way of attractive offers from suitors.

After this season, a decision will need to be made on Richardson’s 2027 fifth-year option. It is on track to be declined at this point, something which would point further to an Indianapolis departure being likely. For now, though, the Colts are in position to keep him in the fold.

Anthony Richardson’s Agent: Trust In Colts Is “Questionable”

August 19th, 2025 at 8:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Following news that Daniel Jones earned the Colts starting quarterback gig, Anthony Richardson‘s camp is starting to question his future in Indy. While speaking with ESPN’s Stephen Holder, agent Deiric Jackson expressed disappointment at the decision and hinted that his client may be looking to play elsewhere.

“Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now,” Jackson told Holder. “Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.”

While the agent didn’t explicitly mention a trade request, he did question the credibility of the organization and head coach Shane Steichen. Jackson wondered if the Colts had already made their QB decision when they handed Jones a one-year, $14MM contract back in March.

The agent also cited the team’s handling of the former fourth-overall pick during the 2024 campaign. While Richardson missed six total games last season, he was clearly benched for a pair of contests, with Steichen calling out his quarterback’s lack of preparation. Richardson was quickly inserted back into the starting lineup, but it was clear the organization wasn’t fully convinced of the player’s standing as a franchise QB.

Jackson hasn’t been the only one observing Richardson’s offseason improvements, as coaches have also lauded the player’s development since last season. The organization has also continued to state that Richardson remains in the team’s future plans, regardless of the outcome of their QB battle.

For what it’s worth, Richardson continues to say the right things, with the quarterback saying there were no “hard feelings” regarding the decision.

“[Steichen] made a decision,” he told Holder. “That’s the decision we’ve got to live with, but no hard feelings, nothing personal. I’ve just got to keep growing. I just can’t let me not being a starter stop me from going and being the person, the player that I’m supposed to be.”

Richardson is a respectable 8-7 in 15 career starts, and he’s collected 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. On the flip side, he’s only completed 50.6 percent of his passes, and he’s tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions. Jones didn’t establish himself as a winning QB during his time with the Giants, so there’s a chance the Colts eventually pivot to Richardson in 2025. Still, that might not be enough to repair the apparent broken relationship between the two sides.

Shane Steichen Nearing Decision On Colts’ Starting QB

August 16th, 2025 at 8:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Two of the Colts’ three preseason games are now in the books. With Week 1 approaching, a decision on the team’s starting quarterback should be coming shortly.

When speaking to the media on Saturday following the Colts’ loss to the Packers, head coach Shane Steichen said he is “very close” to naming a starter for the beginning of the 2025 campaign. Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson each saw action today, with both attempting 11 passes during the game. That adds to the performances each have submitted throughout the summer.

“I’ve seen obviously three weeks of it,” Steichen said (via Fox59’s Mike Chappell) when speaking about the ongoing contest. “I’d like to have a decision here shortly. Yeah, I feel pretty clean when I make that decision. Again, when I make this decision, I’m going to do what I feel is best for this football team.”

Jones – added in free agency on a one-year deal as the Colts’ target for a veteran capable of competing with Richardson for the QB1 gig – held a “significant” lead in the competition before training camp began. Richardson managed to rehab his latest shoulder injury in time to start Indianapolis’ preseason opener, but a dislocated finger limited his time in that contest. The fourth overall pick in 2023’s draft has played just 15 regular season games to date, and his showings in that span have fallen well short of expectations.

After relying on Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco as veteran insurance the past two years, the Colts will lean on Jones to at least serve as an experienced fill-in option. The former Giants top-10 pick flamed out of New York last year, but landing the starting position would allow for a fresh start. Jones, 28, secured over $13MM fully guaranteed when signing with Indianapolis. That figure confirmed his status as a genuine contender for first-team responsibilities on his new squad, and it will be interesting to see if Jones will at least begin the season atop the depth chart.

The Colts have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, and Steichen’s tenure as head coach (starting in 2023) has yielded a 17-17 record. Finding long-term stability under center will be critical for the franchise – and, quite possibly, Steichen’s job security – but consistent play in the immediate future will be highly important as well. Clarity on how the 2025 campaign will be approached could emerge soon.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson Suffers Dislocated Finger

August 8th, 2025 at 8:08am CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 8: After Richardson downplayed the injury postgame, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes his X-rays came back clean. The young passer is expected to be back at practice without missing much time. This will allow Richardson to remain in the Colts’ QB competition.

AUGUST 7: The Colts’ quarterback competition received a pivotal update Thursday night. Anthony Richardson left Indianapolis’ preseason opener in Baltimore with a finger injury and appears likely to miss time.

Richardson suffered a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand, Shane Steichen told Colts sideline reporter Larra Overton (h/t the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson). No timetable is in place for the third-year QB’s return.

Tonight’s game represented an important window for Richardson, who earned the first start over Daniel Jones in Indy’s QB race. Richardson was to play roughly 1 1/2 quarters tonight, with Jones receiving less time. That order will flip next week, but the Colts’ second preseason contest may not feature any Richardson action based on tonight’s events.

The injury occurred during a David Ojabo sack on the Colts’ second possession, limiting Richardson’s time. Jones joined Indianapolis because of the starting opportunity in play, and Richardson’s injuries are a key part of why they pursued the longtime Giants starter. Jones’ path to a sixth straight Week 1 starting role became clearer tonight.

Richardson missed 13 games with a shoulder injury last season and dealt with multiple issues in 2024. Oblique trouble knocked Richardson out early in the season, and after a performance-based benching brought only a brief midseason Joe Flacco cameo, the aging QB was back at the controls to close the season due to Richardson experiencing foot and back trouble. This offseason then brought another shoulder issue for Richardson, who fell behind Jones after missing minicamp.

Richardson only started one college season, and that brought inaccuracy concerns that have not been resolved. The Florida alum’s woeful accuracy showing (47.7%) last season also prompted the Colts to acquire Jones as high-profile insurance. Leading up to camp, it looked like Jones would be the Week 1 starter. But Richardson had shown signs of life during camp’s early practices, drawing even with Jones ahead of this starting assignment. An extended absence would likely lead to Jones winning this competition by default.

Jones has also not been a beacon of health during his career, missing extensive time due to neck trouble and a 2022 ACL tear. The once-embattled New York starter made it back to open the 2024 season but did not last through November in that role, being released after a benching. Jones would move closer to the Colts’ job if Richardson sits during the team’s second preseason tilt, but this competition could certainly drag into the season based on the unremarkable NFL work each entrant has submitted to date.

Anthony Richardson To Start Colts’ Preseason Opener

August 5th, 2025 at 2:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Anthony Richardson has missed a chunk of the Colts’ quarterback competition, seeing more shoulder trouble shelve him during minicamp. But the third-year passer returned in time for training camp, keeping him in step with Daniel Jones in this battle.

Although Jones was viewed as more likely to win the job thanks to Richardson’s latest absence, the ex-Giant has not distanced himself here. He will now take a backseat to the younger passer to open the preseason. Shane Steichen said today (via ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder) Richardson will start Indianapolis’ preseason opener Thursday. Jones will make the start in the Colts’ second preseason game.

Richardson will play roughly a quarter and a half, Steichen said (via the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins) while Jones will finish that stanza. That order will flip against the Packers next week. This does not yet represent a missed opportunity for Jones, as the Colts obviously have a vested interest in giving Richardson reps, but the high-profile import has not created separation in this matchup during camp.

Neither player has looked overly impressive, per Holder, who notes both QBs have shown inconsistency in line with their careers to date. The Colts signed Jones after Richardson’s historically inaccurate 2024 season, one that also featured the memorable tap-out sequence that affected the dual-threat player’s standing in the locker room. The Colts had also deemed Richardson’s preparation methods insufficient, leading to an in-season benching for the since-departed Joe Flacco. Jones, 28, is a much younger option and was believed to enter camp as the more likely starter. After minicamp, the former No. 6 overall pick was believed to hold a “significant” lead for the job.

Richardson had recovered a bit before camp and did not start camp on the active/PUP list, bringing a good sign he could at least threaten Jones, who landed a $14MM deal ($13.15MM guaranteed). That checks in north of backup money (non-Kirk Cousins division), but the Colts seeing Richardson strides would naturally be encouraging given what the organization has sunk into the one-year Florida starter. Richardson has probably not seen enough game action for a final determination, missing 13 contests as a rookie and six last season. But time is running out, after he finished with a ghastly 47.7% completion rate last season.

Benched and then quickly released by the Giants midway through last season, Jones landed with the Vikings’ practice squad but rejected a free agency offer to stay thanks largely to the Colts opportunity providing a better chance to start. Jones has operated “neck and neck” with Richardson, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. This standing could be perceived as a slight to Jones given his significant experience edge.

Jones would certainly offer more stability compared to the erratic Richardson, but the ceiling disparity between the two is also important here. The upcoming games against the Ravens and Packers will go a long way toward determining which arm Steichen chooses for Week 1. Though, this competition will almost definitely carry into the season. Steichen has said he is prepared to take his time on the decision, and the possibility of in-season benchings certainly looms considering the two passers’ profiles.

Anthony Richardson Is Healthy, Ready To Compete With Daniel Jones For Colts’ QB Gig

July 16th, 2025 at 1:33pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

With the Colts’ veterans due to report in less than a week, quarterback Anthony Richardson is “going to be good going into training camp,” according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

Richardson injured his shoulder during OTAs and missed mandatory minicamp, giving new teammate Daniel Jones a chance to take an early lead in the Colts’ starting quarterback competition. Richardson only appeared in 15 games (all starts) in his first two seasons due to injuries, a key factor in the team’s decision to sign Jones and publicly announce an open competition for the QB1 gig.

It was only two years ago that the Colts selected Richardson with the No. 4 pick, but there are signs that the team considers Jones to be a legitimate starting option for the 2025 season. One is that Jones opted to sign in Indianapolis in the first place.

“There was more interest in Daniel Jones out there than people realize,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If Jones chose the Colts over other suitors, that would suggest that he believed he had the best chance of winning a starting job in Indianapolis.

Schefter also noted that the Colts gave Jones $14MM this offseason, more than what Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers received. Both are more experienced than Jones and seem to be the presumptive starters for their teams, so it would stand to reason that Jones is in a similar position.

Jones’ ability to command a new offense will be crucial to his chances of winning the starting job. Richardson, meanwhile, will have to prove that his shoulder is fully healthy and develop some mental and technical consistency to put him in a position to start.

Daniel Jones Holds ‘Significant’ Lead On Anthony Richardson For Colts’ QB1 Job

June 24th, 2025 at 9:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Daniel Jones made the strange jump from a player who underwhelmed wildly on a pricey second contract to one who did not earn a backup job — after signing with the Vikings — into one who has the inside track to start for the Colts a year later.

The latest Trade Rumors Front Office piece explored this dynamic, noting how rare it is for a team to use eight Week 1 starting quarterbacks in a nine-season span (and the big-picture impact Jones suddenly seems to have in Indianapolis). As it stands, Jones is on track to become Indianapolis’ eighth Week 1 starting QB since Andrew Luck‘s shoulder injury shelved him for the entire 2017 season.

Because Richardson missed time during Indy’s offseason program due to reaggravating a shoulder issue that once required surgery, The Athletic’s James Boyd notes Jones has a “significant” lead to become the team’s Week 1 starter. This was set to be an even competition, but with one participant losing so much time and entering after glaring accuracy issues, Jones is poised to benefit.

Based on Richardson’s career arc, this should not surprise. The Colts expressed considerable disappointment in the former No. 4 overall pick last season, benching him for performance and maturity issues, and they have seen him miss 17 games — due to myriad issues — because of injury. Richardson joined first-round busts Akili Smith, JaMarcus Russell and Tim Tebow among the select few of 21st-century QBs to attempt at least 200 passes in a season and complete fewer than 50% of them. On the heels of the Florida product’s concerning 2024, the Colts signed Jones to a one-year, $14MM deal that included $13.15MM fully guaranteed.

The Giants demoted Jones after starting 2-8 last season, making the predictable move due in part because of a $23MM injury guaranteed that would have vested had the then-starter failed a March 2025 physical. While the Giants’ benching avoided that money from entering the equation, they cut their six-year starter in November and preempted a post-June 1 2025 release — one that would have allowed them to split the dead money (from Jones’ signing bonus) — as a tool to move on. The Vikings did not sign Jones from their practice squad until January 7, and they still made him a healthy scratch for their wild-card game against the Rams.

Indy’s issues finding a post-Luck solution, with Richardson struggling to become the answer after a line of veterans stopped through town, led to the team outbidding the Vikings for Jones in March. Minnesota made one-year offers to Jones and Darnold, undoubtedly extending a larger proposal to the latter, but did not end up — after passing on an interested Aaron Rodgers — adding a notable bridge option. J.J. McCarthy is almost certain to start in Week 1, as the Colts emerged in the Jones mix days before the legal tampering period. A viable path to a starting job sold Jones on Indy.

Although the Colts have not revealed a Richardson timetable, the third-year passer expects to be ready by the start of training camp. He has now been in Shane Steichen‘s system for three offseasons, but a player that only started one season in college has not logged the reps the team hoped for since being drafted. And his decision to ask out of a Texans game for a play became a flashpoint regarding simmering maturity issues.

Richardson will still have a shot to topple Jones in the fight for the Colts’ starting gig in camp, but he will reenter that pursuit behind on the scorecards.

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Expects To Return By Training Camp

June 23rd, 2025 at 8:34pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is expecting to recover from a shoulder injury suffered during OTAs in time for training camp in July, per CBS Sports’ Zach Goodall.

Richardson said that he is “all good” and downplayed his recent injury as “not really even a bump in the road. However, it is a worrying sign for a former top-five pick who only played 15 games in his first two seasons. Richardson was already considered a raw prospect coming out of college, and his struggles to stay on the field have stunted his development in the pros.

Even when Richardson has been healthy, he has not been a starting-caliber quarterback. In 2024, he completed less than 50% of his passes and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (eight). That caused the Colts to bring in Daniel Jones for $14MM this offseason as legitimate competition for the starting quarterback job.

Missing minicamp may not have put Richardson behind Jones, who had to learn a new offense, but an extended absence could put him at a disadvantage against the former Giant. Jones may have lost his starting job in New York, but he has still performed better than his new teammate in the last two years.

Richardson is determined, however, to not let his latest setback sideline him for training camp.

“I feel like I tripped, I fell,” continued Richardson (via Goodall). “Just got back up and hit the ground running again.”

Colts To Work Out QB Desmond Ridder

June 10th, 2025 at 2:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Anthony Richardson‘s concerning form when healthy played a major part in Daniel Jones‘ arrival, the Colts have continued to see the former No. 4 overall pick run into injury trouble. That is again the case, with the third-year player set to miss minicamp with a new malady.

A Richardson shoulder issue has left Jones a clear runway to work with Indianapolis’ first-stringers this week, but the team will also look at an experienced backup option at minicamp. Desmond Ridder will participate at the Colts’ mandatory workouts, ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes.

Given command of the Falcons’ offense well before their 2023 training camp, Ridder could not keep the job throughout the season and was then traded to the Cardinals straight up for Rondale Moore. Ridder washed out quickly in Arizona, failing to make the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp. That led him to Las Vegas, but as another new coaching staff took over, it did not prioritize Ridder. The Raiders nontendered the former third-round pick as an RFA, after he appeared in six games and made one 2024 start, and he has remained in unrestricted free agency since.

A Broncos workout possibility emerged last month, but it turned out Sean Payton‘s team did not have such plans. Ridder will now make a case he can be a Colts backup. The Broncos added ex-Indy reserve Sam Ehlinger as a third-stringer this offseason, but the Colts soon addressed the position in the draft by choosing Riley Leonard in Round 6. Leonard joins second-year UDFA Jason Bean as healthy options at Colts minicamp.

Richardson’s second opinion did not reveal anything different from his first, according to Fox59’s Mike Chappell. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the QB’s 2023 shoulder surgery, concurred with the Colts regarding a rest-based rehab program. Shane Steichen said Tuesday no timetable is in place, but Richardson will be expected back either before or during training camp. He has yet to be cleared to resume throwing, but missing this week certainly will deal a blow to the Florida product’s chances of beginning a third season as the Colts’ starter.

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