The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly granted quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to explore potential trade opportunities, as confirmed by sources from the NFL Network and ESPN. During a meeting with Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, the Colts concluded that evaluating all available options was in the best interest of both the player and the franchise.
As it stands, Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 overall draft pick, has just one year left on his rookie contract unless the team chooses to exercise his fifth-year option. His future with the Colts appears uncertain, particularly following last year’s preseason in which he lost the starting quarterback role to Daniel Jones, who is expected to maintain his position this season.
In his time with the Colts, Richardson’s career has been marred by injuries. The promising 23-year-old has only participated in 17 games out of a possible 48 over three seasons, with just 15 starts to his name. His rookie season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, limiting him to just four games in which he achieved a 2-2 record, throwing for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for four touchdowns.
More recently, Richardson’s injury woes included problems with his hip, back, and foot, resulting in him missing three games in 2024. A significant setback occurred last October when he suffered an orbital fracture during warm-ups for a Week 6 game, which required surgery after an unfortunate accident. This injury kept him sidelined for 12 games, although reports indicate that his vision has since recovered.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has shared that Richardson has been medically cleared to resume football activities, opening the door for the possibility of a fresh start with a new team. History has shown that many quarterbacks have struggled with their early teams only to find success with others later in their careers. A notable example is Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold, who, after visiting multiple teams, experienced a resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks.
This situation presents a potentially optimistic future for Richardson as he seeks to revitalize his career and find a team that will support his growth and development as a quarterback.