Anthony Richardson cleared to seek trade as Colts, agent agree to explore options
The Indianapolis Colts have given anthony richardson permission to seek a trade, a move that formalizes a breakup many around the team had expected and opens the door for other clubs to pursue the 2023 top-five pick. The decision follows a Thursday meeting between Colts management and Richardson's camp and matters now because the team plans to move forward with a different QB hierarchy.
Thursday meeting with Chris Ballard and Deiric Jackson set the course
The decision to allow conversations with other teams was communicated during a Thursday meeting between general manager Chris Ballard and Richardon's representatives, led by agent Deiric Jackson. Ballard expressed a willingness to work with Richardson to find a suitable landing spot, and Jackson was given the ability to speak with other teams and explore a trade.
Adam Schefter broke the news on television; Cameron Wolfe described the move as mutual
Adam Schefter broke the news on television that the Colts had given Richardson permission to seek a trade. Cameron Wolfe said Thursday that the Colts and Richardson mutually agreed to seek a trade and that Indy’s brass met with Jackson on Thursday morning and concluded both sides should examine trade options.
Injuries, orbital fracture and vision status
Injuries have shadowed Richardson’s three seasons in Indianapolis. He missed 13 games after shoulder surgery as a rookie in 2023 and missed four games in 2024 to multiple injuries. Last season he sustained a fractured orbital bone in a pregame warmup incident that put him on injured reserve, and that injury impacted his vision. Jackson said recent consultations with doctors indicate the vision has been restored; one physician noted a 20/20 reading when using both eyes. Ballard said Tuesday that the vision issues were "trending in the right direction" and that Richardson was "cleared to play, " though Ballard did not indicate the issues were fully resolved.
Career production and playing time: sharp numbers and missed starts
Selected fourth overall in 2023, Richardson has struggled to establish consistent production. In three seasons since the Colts used a top-five pick on the Florida product, he completed 50. 6% of 350 pass attempts for 2, 400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has started 15 games for the Colts and has struggled with accuracy and consistency; he played in 11 games in 2024 and was beaten out by veteran Daniel Jones for the starting job, appearing in just two games with zero starts before suffering the orbital bone fracture during pregame warmups in Week 6.
Colts depth chart and Daniel Jones’ recovery influence decision
The Colts are expected to move forward this year with Daniel Jones and 2025 draft pick Riley Leonard listed at first and second on the quarterback depth chart. Jones sustained a torn Achilles tendon in early December but is on schedule to return for the start of next season, Ballard said this week. Jones is a pending free agent, and Ballard said Tuesday he remains hopeful the Colts can re-sign Jones to a new deal without using the franchise tag. Ballard also said, "I still believe in Anthony, " even as the team’s 2024 benching of Richardson and the signing of Jones last spring created additional doubt about Richardson’s long-term role in Indianapolis.
Trade mechanics, contract status and potential market
Richardson has one season remaining on his rookie contract unless his 2027 fifth-year option is exercised. He carries a $1. 145 million base salary and a $4. 24 million roster bonus that is due in August. The Colts would save $5. 385 million in salary-cap space with $5. 43 million in dead money if he is traded before June 1. One team said to have interest is the Minnesota Vikings, who are trying to fill out their QB room alongside J. J. McCarthy. After meeting with his representatives, the sentiment is that Richardson’s future is elsewhere; given his athletic ability someone could see him as a rehab project, though the expected return on any trade would likely be minimal compared with the first-round pick the Colts used on him. Generally, when sides agree to seek a trade and nothing materializes, a release can follow, but the team could also keep him through the summer in case injuries create need at quarterback.
For now, the formal permission to explore a trade gives Deiric Jackson the latitude to find a new start for a 23-year-old quarterback whose path in Indianapolis has become uncertain.
