Could Colts trade Anthony Richardson Sr. during 2025 season?

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter have all insisted Anthony Richardson Sr. has handled serving as a backup the right way ever since Richardson lost the competition for the Indianapolis starting job to free-agency signing Daniel Jones in August.

However, it appears Richardson and the Colts could be headed toward a divorce sooner than some previously thought. 

Anthony Richardson's "clear the air" meeting revealed

"Richardson's agent, Deiric Jackson -- who publicly questioned trust in the Colts to our Stephen Holder after Richardson lost the QB battle to Jones -- met in person last week with Colts general manager Chris Ballard to clear the air," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported for a piece published Thursday morning. "Jackson called the meeting 'very constructive,' and just a chance for sides to 'let feelings be known.' Though a trade was not requested, the topic was broached in this meeting. Ballard reinforced that Indy has no plans to trade Richardson and still believes in the quarterback."

Jones has a noteworthy injury history and went 3-13 over his final 16 starts with the New York Giants. Thus, it makes sense that Ballard wants to hold onto a backup who is familiar with Steichen's offense and who is still just 23 years old. 

That said, Fowler suggested that Richardson's camp is frustrated over a lack of patience regarding the development of the 2023 first-round draft pick, who made just 13 college starts and who has missed 17 NFL regular-season games due to injury. Most recently, Richardson suffered a dislocated right pinkie after he failed to recognize pressure in Indianapolis' preseason opener back in August.

Will Anthony Richardson be ready to play in Week 1?

"Richardson isn't making any waves -- he will remain professional, backing up Jones and maintaining his readiness," Fowler added. Fowler also said that "this situation feels far from settled." 

As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had the Colts as 1.5-point betting favorites for their Week 1 home game against the Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday. Steichen and Co. theoretically could revisit their QB1 decision if Jones flops against Miami. 

However, it now seems that Richardson could ask to receive a fresh start before the trade deadline arrives on Nov. 4 if Jones remains atop the depth chart through the fall.