Colts open the door to possibly move on from Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard revealed in January he planned to bring in competition at the quarterback position after 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson failed to prove over his first two pro seasons he is a long-term answer for the organization. 

While speaking with reporters at the NFL combine on Tuesday, Ballard made it clear that Richardson will be part of an "open" competition for the starting job this summer. 

"We want to create real competition," Ballard explained, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I think it’s good for the team. I think it’s good for Anthony." 

Injury setbacks limited Richardson to just four starts as a rookie, and he missed time this past season with reported oblique/abdominal strains and severe back spasms. Additionally, he was benched for two November games after he took himself out of a contest because he was "tired." He also left much to be desired with his overall play when healthy. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Richardson ended 2024 ranked last in the league among qualified players with a 47.7 percent completion percentage, last with a 61.6 passer rating and 33rd with a 47.4 adjusted QBR. Over 11 games, he recorded eight touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. 

"We drafted Anthony high knowing it was going to take some time," Ballard added. "And we knew there’s going to be some hiccups along the way. And I know we all want a finished product right now — I do, you do, fans do, we all do. But I think as he continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help [raise] everybody’s game."

While Ballard said that "everything’s on the table" regarding potential upcoming quarterback moves, The Athletic's James Boyd and Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated are among reporters who recently linked the Colts with Pittsburgh Steelers backup Justin Fields. Fields could speak with Indianapolis when the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10 unless he re-signs with Pittsburgh before then.

The "open" competition comment suggests that Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings, two quarterbacks who will enter springtime workouts as starters, aren't realistic options for the Colts this offseason. Boyd noted that either Minnesota's Daniel Jones or journeyman Jameis Winston could share the Indianapolis quarterback room with Richardson during training camp. 

If Richardson begins September as the Colts' QB2, it's possible he'll never again take a meaningful snap for the franchise before he's made available to other teams.