The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Anthony Richardson have officially reached a crossroads. After a turbulent three-year tenure marked by flashes of promise, persistent injuries, and a carousel of starting quarterbacks, Richardson has been granted permission to seek a trade—a move confirmed by both the Colts' management and Richardson's agents on February 26, 2026. This development, first reported by multiple sources including The Associated Press, ESPN, and The Athletic, signals the end of an era that began with so much hope when Richardson was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson's journey in Indianapolis was meant to be the answer to the franchise's post-Andrew Luck quarterback woes. The Colts had cycled through a series of veteran signal-callers before rolling the dice on the then-20-year-old dual-threat out of Florida. Expectations ran high: Richardson was the highest-drafted Colts player since Luck himself. Yet, as the dust settles on his time in Indy, it's clear that little has gone according to plan.
From the outset, Richardson showed flashes of the athleticism and arm talent that made him a top prospect. He seized the starting job as a rookie in training camp, but his 2023 campaign was abruptly derailed after just four games. A right shoulder injury ended his season and set the tone for a career beset by physical setbacks. Over three seasons, Richardson started 15 games, compiling a record of 8-7. He threw for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, while also adding 634 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. However, his career 50.6% completion percentage, and a league-worst 47.7% in 2024, underscored the inconsistency that plagued his tenure.
The 2024 season encapsulated Richardson's struggles. He started 11 games but missed several due to a strained hip, foot and back injuries, and was benched twice after pulling himself out of a midseason contest, citing fatigue. That decision became a lightning rod for criticism and cast doubt on his readiness for the rigors of an NFL season. Despite throwing for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, his completion rate remained the lowest among regular NFL starters, and the lowest in Colts franchise history. As the losses and frustrations mounted, so did questions about his long-term fit with the team.
In response, the Colts front office made a bold move in March 2025, signing former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones, the sixth overall pick in 2019, quickly beat out Richardson for the starting job in preseason. Jones brought stability and experience, guiding the Colts to an 8-2 start in 2025. But even that resurgence was short-lived: Jones suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Week 14, sidelining him for the rest of the season. In a desperate bid to salvage playoff hopes, the Colts signed retired veteran Philip Rivers, bypassing Richardson despite his availability. The team lost its final four games, missing the playoffs and finishing 8-6—a bitter end after such a promising start.
Richardson's 2025 season was perhaps his most frustrating yet. He appeared in just two games, completing only one of two passes for nine yards. His campaign was cut short by a bizarre and frightening incident on October 12, 2025, when a stretching band accident in the locker room resulted in a fractured orbital bone. The injury required surgery and ended his season, though recent medical documentation confirms he has since regained full 20/20 vision. Richardson returned to practice in December but remained on injured reserve through the end of the year.
With Jones expected to be re-signed as the franchise starter—negotiations are ongoing, according to GM Chris Ballard—and the emergence of 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard as a potential backup, Richardson's path in Indianapolis has effectively closed. Ballard, long Richardson's most vocal supporter, acknowledged the uncertainty but maintained some optimism. "Anthony's still young. He's still developing. So, we'll see what the future holds. I still believe in Anthony," Ballard told reporters at the NFL Combine, just days before the trade decision became public.
Richardson, for his part, remains confident in his abilities. Speaking in January, he declared, "If I still got a chance to play football, then s— it’s always out there for me." His agents, Deiric Jackson and Chris Rogers of Legacy Sports Advisors, echoed that sentiment after meeting with Ballard. "Just looking for fits—teams that want to build and put AR in a position to succeed," Jackson said. Rogers added, "He needs a fresh start. [His next team] is gonna be surprised to find out how smart he is. When he was drafted, he was 20 years old. So now he's mature. He's seen a lot. … I just think his next stop—it’s going to be box office."
The market for Richardson remains uncertain. His age (he turns 24 in May), physical tools, and developmental upside could entice teams willing to take a chance. He enters the final year of his rookie contract, with a manageable $1.1 million salary for a new team and a $10.8 million cap hit for the Colts if he stays. Should the Colts trade him, they would free up $5.4 million in cap space. Comparisons have been drawn to the San Francisco 49ers' 2023 trade of Trey Lance—a similarly high pick with injury concerns—which netted only a fourth-round pick in return.
Richardson's agents are open to a variety of landing spots, whether as a starter or as an understudy behind an established veteran. Potential fits mentioned include teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens—all organizations with a track record of developing raw but talented quarterbacks. "Nothing is off the table," Rogers said. "That’s why we’re intrigued." At just 23 years old, Richardson still has time to rewrite his narrative, provided he finds the right environment.
For the Colts, the Richardson saga is another chapter in their ongoing search for stability at quarterback. Since Luck’s sudden retirement in 2019, Indianapolis has cycled through hopefuls and veterans alike, but the long-term answer remains elusive. As negotiations continue with Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and as Riley Leonard develops, the Colts are once again betting on a new direction.
Now, as Anthony Richardson and his representatives field calls from around the league, the NFL world waits to see where the former top pick will land. Will a fresh start unlock his considerable potential, or will injuries and inconsistency continue to define his career? One thing’s for sure: the next stop for Anthony Richardson promises to be a storyline worth watching.