What changes now for Anthony Richardson after Colts, QB mutually agree to seek trade

The decision to let anthony richardson seek a trade shifts the conversation from parachuting him back into Indianapolis to finding a new developmental home. That change forces teams and the QB’s camp to weigh rehab upside, accuracy concerns, and market value against the reality that the Colts have signaled his future likely lies elsewhere.

Immediate consequences: roster math and trade expectations

Here’s the part that matters: the Colts met with anthony richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, on Thursday morning and both sides concluded it was best to examine trade options. That mutual agreement creates two near-term possibilities for the team — a low-return trade or a release if no deal materializes — and it makes Richardson a candidate for a limited-market rehab project rather than a high-value swap.

Anthony Richardson: the case for risk and limited reward

Teams weighing a move will balance clear traits and clear liabilities. Richardson entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in 2023 with an enticing athletic profile, but injuries disrupted his rookie year. He struggled with accuracy and consistency in 2024, playing in 11 games. Over three seasons since the Colts used a top-five pick on the Florida product, Richardson completed 50. 6% of 350 pass attempts for 2, 400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Why the Colts reached this point and what leadership has said

Colts general manager Chris Ballard rejected the notion that Richardson had no future with the team, noting that Richardson had been cleared from his injury and that he is still young and developing. Despite that stance earlier in the week, the meeting with Richardson’s representatives changed the sentiment inside the building: after that discussion, the view is that his future is elsewhere. The real question now is whether another team will accept the upside for a modest return.

• Richardson’s immediate health timeline: he has been cleared from the orbital injury noted previously.
• Recent playing résumé: 11 games in 2024; the prior season he was beaten out by Daniel Jones and appeared in two games (zero starts) before suffering an orbital bone fracture during pregame warmups in Week 6.
• Stat snapshot: 50. 6% completion rate on 350 attempts, 2, 400 yards, 11 TDs and 13 INTs over three seasons.
• Expected market: teams will view him as a rehab/developmental project; trade return projected to be minimal.
• Potential system fit: in the right offense his athleticism and deep-ball skill could be an asset.

Potential landing spots and how other teams are thinking

One team to watch is the Minnesota Vikings, who have interest as they attempt to fill out their quarterback room alongside J. J. McCarthy. That interest frames Richardson as a candidate for competition behind a developing starter rather than an immediate full-time starter. Similar career arcs, like a prior top-five quarterback who struggled to regain standing, show the uphill climb for players in Richardson’s position.

Surrounding league items and additional combine notes

Other roster and league updates ran alongside the Richardson news. A league insider, Tom Pelissero, shared that the Tennessee Titans have agreed to trade nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the New York Jets in exchange for pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. Separately, a measurement from the 2026 Scouting Combine showed edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. ’s arms at 30 and 7/8 inches. There is prevailing chatter that Trey Hendrickson’s days in Cincinnati are likely over, though Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin would not etch that in stone. Mike Evans could be wearing a new jersey for the first time in his 13-year career; details on his agent were unclear in the provided context.

Programming note: live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine runs through March 1.

It’s easy to overlook, but this move signals how teams now value short-track developmental quarterbacks in a league that increasingly rewards immediate production. The writer’s aside: experienced evaluators will tell you that athletic traits alone rarely trump consistent on-field decision-making, and Richardson’s path will hinge on coaching fit and a clear plan for reps and rehab.

The real test will be whether a team views anthony richardson as worth the roster spot and patience required to turn raw tools into NFL reliability. If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up, it’s because the mutual trade decision converts an internal personnel debate into a league-wide asset sale — one that will reveal how much patience other teams have for unfinished quarterbacks.