The Indianapolis Colts have been urged to remain persistent in their trade talks.
One of the most significant talking points of the Indianapolis Colts' offseason has been the status of fourth-year quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., who requested a trade from the team in February.
The Colts obliged in the request, but following major league-wide events, including the NFL Combine, the annual league meetings, and the NFL Draft, no notable trade offers materialized to date, so Richardson returned to the team during the offseason program in May.
“Honestly, man, I just wanted to work," Richardson said as to why he returned. "I was just getting tired of waiting a little bit, and I just wanted to get back right into the routine. Nothing really transpired with that, so my agent talked to (Chris) Ballard and was like, ‘We’re trying to get back to work.’”
Richardson has been reintegrated into the team and is currently competing with second-year quarterback Riley Leonard for the backup role behind starter Daniel Jones. However, Richardson's status remains in limbo as he is still on the trade block.
“Yeah, right now he’s here. Obviously, he hasn’t rescinded the trade, but he’s engaged, he’s in the meetings, and he’s competing for a job,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said last time he was asked about Richardson's trade.
Steichen was then essentially asked, "What's the point?" in giving Richardson reps and an opportunity for a role if he may not be on the team.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen talks with quarterbacks Monday, June 1, 2026, during practice at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar“Well, because there’s a potential that he could be," Steichen responded. "You never know. We’ll see how this thing plays out. I mean, we’re sitting here, end of May – we’ve got June, July, August, training camp. But if you’re going to be here, everyone that’s here is going to compete.”
ESPN's Aaron Schatz suggested one more move to each NFL team before the 2026 season begins, and moving Richardson was his to-do list item for the Colts.
"It's clear that Richardson is no longer part of the Colts' plans and that they are much more likely to make 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard their backup to Daniel Jones," Schatz wrote. "However, Richardson is still just 24 years old, and any team that wants to acquire him would have him in their system for a season and then have a chance to evaluate him internally before he becomes a free agent at the end of 2026. Despite a $4 million roster bonus coming his way in July, he could be intriguing if there's another team with a veteran starter and room on the roster for a developmental quarterback."
While Richardson is still young and has talent, to Schatz's point, if he is no longer under consideration as the Colts' quarterback of the future, it may be time to let him move on to greener pastures.
By this point in the calendar, teams already have their starters or main participants lined up, so Richardson would be playing a supporting role with the Colts or at any other destination he lands. His trade value could soon luster a bit more, though.
Richardson is due a $4.2 million roster bonus on the third day of training camp, which will cut his 2026 salary cap hit down to about $6.6 million afterward and make it more palatable. Richardson is also healthy after a freak accident in 2025 that severely injured his eye.
With his cheaper cost and remaining healthy and performing reasonably well, during the summer, Richardson could finally be on the move.
