Indianapolis Colts fans all know that Anthony Richardson had an exercise band break in Week 6 warmups this year, and the bar of the band hit the quarterback in the face, breaking an orbital bone. Richardson was unable to fully practice afterward.
The issue was blurry vision, and there was no way of knowing if he would ever regain full vision. The team kept saying it thought he would, but they aren't doctors. But at the NFL combine this week, it was what head coach Shane Steichen didn't say that might raise eyebrows.
Steichen, of course, is the master of saying nothing. He should have a doctorate in how not to really answer anything. Instead, he talks in generalities that have little meaning. So, when he doesn't say something, that speaks volumes.
Indianapolis Colts' Shane Steichen says almost nothing about Anthony Richardson
Speaking on 107.5 The Fan's The Ride with JMV show on Tuesday, the coach was asked about what the team might do with Richardson this offseason, though expecting any kind of response that had real information was probably foolish. What was odd was two lines Steichen fed the host: The QB's eye condition is "progressing well," and "We'll see what the future holds for him."
Those are the exact answers the team delivered nearly two months ago, word for word. The canned response from Steichen implies that Richardson's eye issue might not be where it needs to be yet, and that the team has a plan for what to do with the quarterback, and that doesn't mean he is a long-term part of the Colts.
What is clear, based on how Indianapolis is doing business, is that Anthony Richardson has no real future with Indy. The team would rather re-sign Daniel Jones and hope he is healthy close to the start of the 2026 season. If the team doesn't bring back the free agent quarterback, the plan is far less clear.
Riley Leonard could take over QB1 duties, as he was very good against the Houston Texans in Week 18 this year. Better, in fact, than maybe Richardson has ever been. Perhaps, if Indianapolis gets Jones back and he isn't ready at the start of the season, Leonard could be the temporary QB1.
Shane Steichen saying that we will see "what the future holds" for Richardson is exceedingly irritating. He doesn't owe Indianapolis Colts fans a detailed explanation, of course, but his non-answer means there is an answer, and there is a slight cruelty that maybe even Richardson has no idea what his future with the team is.