The Indianapolis Colts have a starting quarterback, and that person is Daniel Jones. The team also seemingly has a backup, and that's Riley Leonard. Anthony Richardson is still on the roster, but shouldn't be expected to make any kind of impact in 2026 and beyond unless something goes very wrong.
Richardson asked for, and has been granted, the ability to seek a trade this offseason. So far, he's found no takers. While he has immense raw physical skills, he hasn't been able to turn that into success as an NFL quarterback. He's been hurt far too much and has been inefficient as a starter. The team would be better off without him.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon appears to know that, too. Speaking at the NFL annual meetings this week, the owner said, "(Richardson is) so immensely talented, and I feel like the world is his oyster. He totally has an opportunity to have a career in the NFL if he wants to. I just feel so bad that he’s getting the short end of the stick (with injuries)."
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon makes stance on Anthony Richardson (somewhat) clear
Two parts of that are interesting. One is Irsay-Gordon saying Richardson could have a career "if he wants to." Clearly, the quarterback wants to, or he would simply quit, right? Sure, lots of money is involved to keep him going, but that would also factor into the "wants to" part.
Maybe it was simply overspeak by Irsay-Gordon to add the prepositional phrase. She could have stopped after "NFL," but she didn't. That might imply that the owner and the team believe the quarterback simply hasn't worked hard enough to become a quality QB.
As far as "getting the short end of the stick," maybe. To be clear, despite the numerous times he has gotten hurt, Richardson has had plenty of chances to earn the QB1 spot and has failed. That includes the time he tapped himself out of a game after a long scramble on second down, ahead of a third-and-goal, because he was "tired."
The same quarterback has completed just 506. percent of his passes, an issue that obviously indicates he has terrible technique and implies he hasn't worked diligently to fix the problem. He has also thrown 11 touchdown passes but 13 interceptions. He simply isn't a good player.
Should he not find a suitor this offseason and bring a deal for the Indianapolis Colts to work a trade, the team has to release him. He is taking up a roster spot that could go to an edge rusher or young defensive lineman, two spots that are far more important than Richardson is to Indy currently.