The Indianapolis Colts allowed quarterback Anthony Richardson to seek a trade this offseason, but nothing came to be. Either the offers were too low, or there simply were no offers. This is what happens when one is an often-injured quarterback who hasn't been productive. Might Indy just outright release the flailing QB?
That is what Bleacher Report's Moe Moton suggests as the final outcome of Richardson asking out of playing for the team.
Moton wrote recently, "As was the case with cornerback Kenny Moore II, the Colts may outright release Richardson if he has a weak or non-existent trade market."
Indianapolis Colts linked to potentially releasing quarterback Anthony Richardson
There is a catch to the above, though. Unlike Moore, who was an ageing slot cornerback with no positional flexibility and was past the age of 30, and releasing him actually saved the team money, Richardson is not yet 25 years old, and Indy saves nothing by releasing the QB.
A drastic move such as an outright release doesn't make much sense when it comes to Richardson, unless the team simply needs to open a roster spot for a player at a different position. That appears unlikely, however. The team is fairly set at most spots, and there are no impending trade options of adding a player from another team.
Plus, QB1 Daniel Jones could miss the first few games of the season while still working his way back from tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last season. Letting Richardson walk would mean the team only has Riley Leonard moving forward. (Sure, a practice squad could be elevated, but that is a worst-case scenario.)
Instead of releasing Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts should hold on to him and see if a trade materializes during the season. This could be due to a team losing its own starting quarterback to an injury, and adding Richardson to take over or provide depth.
At worst, Indianapolis would keep three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster, something Indy did last season with the same three quarterbacks, and Richardson would be free to leave in free agency next offseason. That is, if he can find any takers, of course.
Richardson might also have a chance to rebuild his career a bit before that happens. He could beat out Leonard for QB2 duties, which would make him the starter in the weeks Jones can't play. Should he do well, other teams will notice, and then maybe a trade occurs. An outright release is far less likely.
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