The Indianapolis Colts want Anthony Richardson to do the hard work. According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, the team has given the quarterback the OK to seek a trade. The news is new, but it is not shocking to fans.
In fact, AR5 being dealt elsewhere is good for all involved. The quarterback has no path to ever starting for Indy again, especially if the Colts re-sign Daniel Jones. Even if that doesn't happen, Richardson was likely set to be QB2 behind Riley Leonard, who proved he could play in the NFL with his performance against the Houston Texans in Week 18.
A change of scenery is needed for Richardson. He's had nothing but bad luck and bad performances since being the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He's been injured numerous times, even while not playing in 2025. He suffered a broken orbital bone after an exercise band broke and hit him in the face in Week 6 warmups.
Indianapolis Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade
For Indianapolis, any draft pick (or picks) the team can get in return for the quarterback is a bonus. Indy has no first-round draft pick in 2026 or 2027 after general manager Chris Ballard traded those to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Indianapolis isn't going to get a first-round selection back for Richardson, but at least a draft choice would give Ballard more depth.
Likely, the best the team could get in return for Richardson is a third-round pick. He does have immense raw physical ability, and maybe in the right system, he would do well. That simply isn't going to be under head coach Shane Steichen for the Colts.
One of the biggest questions any team will have before acquiring Anthony Richardson is the health of his eye. After breaking his orbital bone, he suffered from blurred vision. He seems to still be having that issue. Prospective teams will want to talk to doctors about the QB's long-term vision.
According to The Athletic's James Boyd, the Colts have been provided with documentation that Richardson has regained full vision. Other teams might want their own doctors to take a look.
Of course, even if Richardson finds a suitor, and there is no timetable for when that might happen, the Indianapolis Colts would still want legitimate value in return. If a team is only going to offer a sixth-round or seventh-round selection back, that likely isn't good enough.
A team adding Richardson would have the advantage of picking up his fifth-round option if they acquire him before May 1, but the cost of that is $23 million in 2027. In other words, the team would have to be sure that Richardson is a quarterback they would want in an offseason where the draft depth and free agency possibilities at quarterback are not very good.