Report updates Colts' 2025 plans for Anthony Richardson

ESPN's Ben Solak said he felt the Indianapolis Colts "are clearly out on" Anthony Richardson after head coach Shane Steichen benched the second-year quarterback following Week 8. It appears that may not be the case.

Richardson has since returned to the starting lineup, and ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano said for a piece published Wednesday he now believes Richardson will stay with the club through the upcoming offseason as long as both Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard hold onto their jobs. 

"They see something in terms of his talent and especially his character, but the Colts need to go into next season with some level of confidence that he's more than a talented developmental player and can be their long-term franchise quarterback," Graziano said regarding how the Colts view Richardson. 

The benching reportedly "lit a fire under" Richardson, and the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft then produced a stellar come-from-behind performance in Indianapolis' Week 11 win over the New York Jets. While he completed only 11-of-28 passes for 172 yards in this past Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Detroit Lions that dropped the Colts to 5-7, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that the 22-year-old "made a series of impressive throws" in that contest. 

"Improving his accuracy should be his focus over these final five games," Fowler said.

Richardson thus far has completed only 50.9% of 275 career regular-season pass attempts. He's also made just 12 total starts. Along with proving he can reach the expectations many had for him ahead of his rookie campaign, he must also show through January he can avoid the type of injury setbacks that have cost him valuable reps since September 2023. 

Similar to how the Carolina Panthers probably won't have a good reason to give up on Bryce Young anytime soon, the Colts likely won't have anything to lose in holding onto Richardson through at least next summer unless he causes unforeseen behind-the-scenes problems before then.