Will Anthony Richardson request trade after Colts' agreement with Daniel Jones?

Roughly two weeks after Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard confirmed that quarterback Anthony Richardson would be part of an "open" competition for the starting job this summer, reports confirmed that the Colts plan to sign former New York Giants starter Daniel Jones to a one-year contract. 

Some wondered if Richardson could ask for a trade before the upcoming draft, considering he could be relegated to backup duties this September. However, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Tuesday afternoon that Richardson "has no plans to seek a trade" and "will be ready to roll" when he and Jones begin training camp workouts this summer. 

On paper, Jones is the more accomplished of the two options. Per Pro Football Reference, he ended the 2022 regular season ranked sixth in the NFL among qualified players with a 62.9 adjusted QBR, and he was then the Giants' most valuable player in their wild-card playoff win at the Vikings in January 2023. He then suffered the second alarming neck injury of his NFL career the following season before he went down with a torn ACL in November 2023. More recently, he was benched due to poor play this past fall before the Giants released him in November. 

Richardson's first two pro seasons were limited by multiple injury setbacks, which limited him to 15 starts over a possible 32 games. This past fall, he was benched for two November contests after he admitted to taking himself out of a game because he was "tired." 

Over his 15 career appearances, Richardson tossed 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, he ended the 2024 campaign ranked last in the league among qualified signal-callers with a 47.7 percent completion percentage and a 61.6 passer rating. 

For an article updated on Feb. 27, Colts insider James Boyd of The Athletic wrote, "It would be downright unfathomable for Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, to lose the starting job before he starts another game." One wonders if Richardson isn't requesting a trade anytime soon in part because he's been given a reason to believe he's the favorite to win the "open" competition that will also feature Jones through at least a portion of the preseason.