Anthony Richardson can create his own path if he returns to the Colts

There remains a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Anthony Richardson's status with the Indianapolis Colts. The question of "will he stay or will he go?" continues to ring loud, but given that the trade market for him isn't busy, perhaps his immediate future is already set without any true confirmation from the Colts. 

Richardson's NFL career is in limbo, that's for sure, at least, and while a new team with a change of scenery might actually do him some good, does that mean that absolutely no good could come from Richardson not being traded away and remaining in Indianapolis for the time being? 

Either path could help Richardson further rediscover himself as a quarterback. While a change of scenery often helps in such cases, staying with the Colts might also benefit Richardson, given the current quarterback situation. Ultimately, Richardson's growth will depend on whether circumstances align in his favor. 

Anthony Richardson claiming the Indianapolis Colts' No. 2 spot at quarterback is his best shot at redemption

Another significant injury to Daniel Jones would be in nobody's favor, to be clear. The Colts are standing pat with Jones as their starter for the foreseeable future, and that risk was evident by his two-year, $88 million extension signed in March. Today, Jones offers the Colts the best chance at winning games next season, so they must run with that. 

For Richardson, though, if Jones were to go down again, whether for a game or two, or longer, the younger quarterback, if he plays his offseason and training camp cards right, could be the man to step in and step up. That said, he would have to be the Colts' No. 2 quarterback to do that; he's not currently.

As it stands, Riley Leonard, the Colts' sixth-round draft pick from last year, is slated to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Jones, leaving Richardson as No. 3. If the Colts end up not trading him, Richardson would have the opportunity to beat out Leonard this offseason and take his place behind Jones. 

Again, no one wants to see Jones suffer another injury, but that would be Richardson's ticket back to show everyone what he can do at quarterback, and whether he's grown and improved since the last time the Colts saw him on the field. 

A better version of Richardson would be the best thing not only for himself, but also for the Colts, as it would likely increase his future trade value. As the days move on, it's beginning to look more and more like Richardson isn't going anywhere, at least for now. Unless a surprise move happens, the trade market wasn’t as dried up as it appeared to be. 

An offseason in which Richardsoon wins the Colts' No. 2 quarterback spot on the depth chart might be the best thing for him going forward, if he remains with the Colts. Beating out Leonard is well within Richardson's capabilities, and his future in the NFL may very well depend on it. Another chance awaits Richardson; what he does with it is on him.