Anthony Richardson hasn’t played enough football to play hardball.
Despite requesting a trade from the Colts earlier this offseason, Richardson is attending voluntary OTAs as he awaits more clarity on his NFL future.
There doesn’t appear to be much of a trade market for Richardson, who has made just 15 starts since he was the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft.
Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts walks the sidelines during the NFL 2025 game between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images “The Colts are still giving me a chance to go out there and work, work hard and potentially get on the field,” Richardson told the Indianapolis Star during his jersey retirement ceremony at Gainesville (Fla.) Eastside High School.
“Glad to be able to stay in the NFL and put the work in. Just showing up at OTAs, it was a blessing in disguise for me because I just wanted to work and they allowed me to do that so I’m thankful for that.”
Richardson was seen by scouts as a high-upside, low-ceiling developmental project after one year as the starter at Florida.
But the Colts threw him into the fire as a rookie and he suffered a season-ending injury after four starts.
He was benched during an inconsistent 2024 and then lost his starting job to free-agent signing Daniel Jones in 2025.
To compound matters, Richardson suffered a fractured orbital bone in a freak pregame accident last season. He was limited to two pass attempts and missed a chance to prove himself while Jones was sidelined with a torn Achilles, forcing the Colts to lure Philip Rivers out of a four-year retirement.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws before the start of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sept. 21, 2025 AP “If I don’t put that work in to be a better player then I won’t be in the NFL,” Richardson said. “I just want to work hard and constantly think about my opportunity that I have now and try to take advantage of it.”
Jones has been medically cleared to participate in 7-on-7 during OTAs but any first-team 11-on-11 snaps could go to Richardson or Riley Leonard.
