Colts' latest Anthony Richardson decision screams trade audition

The Indianapolis Colts insist Anthony Richardson remains part of their quarterback room. Their plan for the preseason finale suggests something else may be happening.

Richardson will start against the Detroit Lions and play alongside most of Indianapolis’ offensive starters. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor will sit, according to Colts coach Shane Steichen.

That is an unusual setup for a former No. 4 overall pick entering his fourth NFL season. It also looks a lot like one final audition for teams that could use another quarterback.

Anthony Richardson has lost his place with the Colts

Indianapolis handed its offense to Richardson after drafting him in 2023. Injuries and inconsistent play kept him from holding onto it.

Richardson’s physical talent was never difficult to spot. He can launch the ball downfield, escape pressure and punish defenses as a runner. Completing routine passes has been the larger problem.

The Colts eventually turned to Jones, who took control of the starting job and gave the offense the stability Richardson never provided. Indianapolis no longer needs to wait for Richardson to develop while hoping everything suddenly clicks.

It now needs to determine what, if anything, it can get for him.

Playing Richardson with the starters gives him a fair chance to look competent. It also prevents interested teams from dismissing a poor performance because he was surrounded by players who will be unemployed next week.

That is not subtle.

Colts could be showcasing Anthony Richardson for a trade

Richardson is still only 24 years old. Another team will convince itself that a new offense, different coaching or a year on the bench can rescue his career.

The Colts would be foolish not to listen.

Richardson is unlikely to regain the starting job without an injury to Jones. Keeping him as a backup preserves some insurance, but it also delays the inevitable. His contract will eventually force Indianapolis to make a more expensive decision.

A trade would allow the Colts to recover a draft pick and give Richardson a needed restart. Several teams have unsettled quarterback situations or questionable depth behind their starters.

This final preseason appearance gives those clubs one more look.

Indianapolis will call it an opportunity for Richardson to get valuable work. Perhaps it is. Teams do not usually surround a quarterback with starters in a meaningless game unless they want a clean evaluation, though.

The Colts already know what Richardson can do. Saturday may be about showing everybody else.