Will Colts Keep Anthony Richardson Sr.?: 'We're Not Just Giving Him Away'

WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback room is arguably deeper than it's been in several years.

For just the second time in the last decade, they'll have the same Week 1 starter for consecutive seasons in Daniel Jones, although he's returning from Achilles surgery. Plus, they have three other players who have started games in the NFL, in Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard, and Easton Stick.

"Look, I'll say this, it's probably the first time in a while I’ve felt really good about the – in totality – the position," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday about the quarterback room. "I mean, we feel like we have three guys, with Daniel and AR and Riley, that all can play. So, that's a good spot to be in right now."

The complexion of that room could change at any time, though, as the Colts have arrived on site at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind. for training camp.

Richardson requested a trade from the team in February, which would bring an end to his tumultuous tenure in Indianapolis.

The Colts made him the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he's been injured more often than not, as he's been available for just 22 out of 51 possible games. His play on the field when he has been available has been inconsistent at best, with his 47.7% completion percentage in 2024 marking a new single-season franchise low.

In the five months since Richardson's trade request, the Colts haven't been presented with anything worth moving on from the former top-five pick, but the request is still on the table.

“It is, but I think they're realistic and we're realistic," Ballard said about whether a trade is still possible. "We're not just giving him away. Not going to do that.

"When you take a guy as high as we took him, you want him to come in and be the savior right away. Well, everybody's developmental plan is different, and his was a little different. I still think that he has got a future. We'll see how that plays out here.”

Richardson being on the roster and being able to compete for a role against the likes of Leonard and Stick can be awkward for multiple reasons. Not only because he could be sent out at any time, but there are also only so many reps that can be had during practice.

Training camp is for preparing your team to play in the season, and the Colts could be giving reps to someone who won't even be in the building by the team the regular season starts on Sept. 13.

“I'll leave that to Shane (Steichen), but they'll get enough looks in practice and in games to where we'll be able to make a decision,” Ballard said about spreading out the practice reps between Jones, Richardson, and Leonard.

Is it possible that the Colts keep all three players in 2026?

“Yeah, absolutely,” Ballard said. “That's my intention right now. Yeah.”