
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is looking to receive a fresh start elsewhere after the Colts signed 2025 Week 1 starter Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88M contract that could be worth up to $100M earlier this offseason.
Unfortunately for Richardson, there has reportedly been "minimal" interest among other teams regarding his services. While speaking with reporters on Monday, Colts general manager Chris Ballard indicated that Richardson won't be going anywhere before the 2026 NFL Draft wraps up this coming weekend.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ballard said about Richardson, per James Boyd of The Athletic. "I really don’t. You never do. I mean, we’ve had some (trade) talks, but nothing’s come to fruition at this time. So, at this point, he’s still an Indianapolis Colt."
Richardson missed 17 regular-season contests due to injuries over his first two pro campaigns before he suffered an orbital fracture during a pregame warmup this past fall. By then, he had already been relegated to backup duties behind Jones, and he has since lost the Indianapolis QB2 gig to 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard.
"(Richardson’s) down in Jacksonville training," Ballard said about how the 23-year-old is spending the early days of the Colts' voluntary offseason workout program. "I actually have talked to his trainer, and I talk to him often, and his agent. He’s in good spirits. …Will he be here (for the 2026 season)? Well, he could be, but we’ll see."
Some previously suggested the Colts could hang onto Richardson because it's unknown when Jones will be able to return from the torn Achilles he suffered on Dec. 7, 2025. Jones wants to be back in the Indianapolis lineup for Week 1 of the 2026 season, and the Colts aren't yet closing the door on such a scenario.
"He's throwing, he's moving, and so he's in a really good spot," Ballard said about Jones, according to JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' website. "Final timeline – we're all shooting for Week 1 for sure, but we'll kind of let his body dictate (it)."
In short, Richardson could be deemed surplus to requirements in Indianapolis by the time the club plays its final preseason game this August.
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