How much the Indianapolis Colts have tried to trade quarterback Anthony Richardson is unknown, but the QB requested to be moved early in the offseason. Nothing substantial materialized, as he is still on the roster. This leads to the obvious question: Should he be?
Indy doesn't need to keep Richardson out of any kind of obligation. Only 53 players make the active roster, and they all need to earn getting paid by the Colts. Richardson's performance on the field hasn't indicated he should be, and he's following up three years of being bad with a bad training camp in 2026.
The quarterback has shown off a strong arm, which was to be expected. He has also been inaccurate, which was also expected. Maddeningly, one of his biggest issues in camp is receiving the snap from center. Richardson hasn't simply muffed one snap, but multiple snaps.
Indianapolis Colts should simply let Anthony Richardson go
That is extremely unacceptable, and if Richardson wasn't a first-round pick but rather a late-round choice, he might already be on his way out of Indianapolis. He should be anyway, and not via a trade. Instead, he should be on the roster bubble only to have it burst, and Riley Leonard named the backup to starter Daniel Jones.
Releasing Richardson saves the team no money. Literally zero. A trade would save the team $5,385,549, according to Over the Cap. This isn't about money, though. The Indianapolis Colts still have plenty of cash to spend in free agency, although they don't seem bent on spending it on an extra wide receiver or edge rusher. That is a completely different issue.
But not signing a free agent wide receiver or edge player means taking more risks with the unproven players already on the team. If that is the case, Indy can't trust one of those players at any given position, but multiple in hopes one works out. More roster spots would be needed in that situation, and Richardson is holding a spot currently that needs to go elsewhere.
Entering his fourth season, Richardson should have certain things down pat, especially as he has only ever played under head coach Shane Steichen. The quarterback has only had to learn one system, and he should have it mastered.
Instead, he continues to make odd and poor decisions from play to play, doesn't appear to have a firm grasp on pass-block assignments, and too often goes the wrong way or makes the wrong check-down when under pressure (which is how he injured his finger during last preseason). He cannot be trusted in real games, and he's proven that further in camp.
Forget trading Anthony Richardson. He clearly isn't going to get any better. The Colts simply need to say goodbye to him, just as they would when he hits free agency next year.
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