Why the Indianapolis Colts Should Trade Anthony Richardson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Blayne Gilmer | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 11:16 AM ET

The Indianapolis Colts invested heavily in Anthony Richardson when they made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Armed with rare athleticism and a cannon for an arm, Richardson looked like the kind of high-upside prospect a franchise could build around. But after two seasons filled with injuries, inaccuracy, and inconsistent decision-making, it may already be time for the Colts to move on.

Richardson’s physical tools remain tantalizing, but the production simply hasn’t followed. In 2024, he completed just 47.7 percent of his passes and posted a league-worst passing success rate of 36.0 percent. As Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport bluntly put it: “Unfortunately, he’s also wildly inaccurate—last year he completed a woeful 47.7 percent of his passes. He’s injury-prone—Richardson has missed more games in two years than he has played in. His decision-making hasn’t been good, either—Richardson has more interceptions than touchdown passes.”

Anthony Richardson in individual work: pic.twitter.com/eRuI6pdBTd
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) May 28, 2025

The Colts’ decision to sign Daniel Jones this offseason makes it clear the team is no longer confident in Richardson as its long-term starter. While Jones has his own limitations, his presence signals a full-blown quarterback competition heading into training camp, one that Richardson may not win.

This is why the time to trade Richardson is now. His youth and raw potential are still enough to entice a quarterback-needy team or a coaching staff that believes it can “fix” him. That belief is common in the NFL, especially when a player has Richardson’s physical gifts. Currently, Richardson still holds some market value. Another disappointing season, however, could erase that entirely.

Yes, trading Richardson would mean admitting to a high-profile draft mistake, something General Manager Chris Ballard may be reluctant to do. But stubbornness won’t save the Colts from wasting more time and delaying their next attempt at finding a franchise quarterback. If Indianapolis receives a reasonable offer, it should accept it and let another team take the risk of a turnaround.

The Colts hoped they were drafting the next big thing in Anthony Richardson. The reality is they may have simply drafted the next big miss. It's not too late to recoup something before that window closes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: