If you had told an Indianapolis Colts fan back in 2023 that Anthony Richardson would be fighting for his roster spot by January 2026, they would have probably laughed you out of the building. The kid was the "Chosen One." He had the 40-yard dash of a wide receiver and the arm strength of a cannon. But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" business, and right now, the answer for Richardson is: not much.
Honestly, the anthony richardson colts quarterback update is pretty bleak if you’re pulling for him to stay in the Circle City. After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw him lose his starting job before it even began, the writing isn't just on the wall; it’s practically glowing in neon.
The Freak Injury That Changed Everything
You can't talk about Richardson without talking about his luck. Or lack thereof.
In August 2025, Shane Steichen made the shocking call to name veteran Daniel Jones the Week 1 starter. Richardson was relegated to the bench. Then, things got weird. During pregame warmups for a Week 6 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, a pole attached to a stretching band snapped. It hit Richardson directly in the face.
The result? An orbital fracture.
He didn't just miss a game. He missed the chance to prove he belonged when Daniel Jones eventually went down with a torn Achilles in early December. While the Colts scrambled to find a solution—even briefly coaxing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement for a "last dance" that went nowhere—Richardson was stuck in the dark, literally, dealing with vision issues from that freak accident.
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General Manager Chris Ballard didn't mince words during his end-of-season presser on January 8, 2026. He noted that Richardson is still "working through" his vision limitations. When asked if the former fourth-overall pick has a role in 2026, Ballard’s response was a lukewarm, "I think time will tell."
That's GM-speak for "we're looking at our options."
Daniel Jones and the Riley Leonard Factor
The Colts clearly found something they liked in Daniel Jones. Before the Achilles tear, Jones had the Colts sitting at 7-1 and was playing some of the best football of his career. He even earned a Pro Bowl alternate nod. Ballard and Steichen have both signaled they want to re-sign Jones this spring, despite the injury.
But wait, there's more.
Enter Riley Leonard. The rookie sixth-rounder stepped in for the final week of the 2025 season and actually looked... good? He threw for 270 yards and two scores against a tough Houston Texans defense.
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Suddenly, the quarterback room looks crowded. You've got:
- Daniel Jones: The preferred starter (if he heals).
- Riley Leonard: The cheap, high-upside backup who already has Steichen’s trust.
- Anthony Richardson: The expensive, injured enigma who only played 14 "garbage time" snaps all last year.
It’s a numbers game. Richardson has one year left on his rookie deal, and the Colts are likely tired of the "will he, won't he" availability cycle.
Is a Trade the Only Way Out?
Trade rumors are swirling like a Midwest snowstorm. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins are being tossed around as potential landing spots.
Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings' head coach, famously told Richardson "You're a bad dude" after a game in 2024. He’s a known "quarterback whisperer." If anyone can salvage Richardson’s mechanics and confidence, it’s probably him. In Miami, the Dolphins are looking for a spark after Mike McDaniel's departure and Tua Tagovailoa's continued inconsistency with the deep ball.
Richardson in a Dolphins jersey? That would be a homecoming. He’s a Florida kid, after all.
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The price tag for a trade has plummeted. We’re no longer talking about multiple first-round picks. Experts think he could be had for a day-three pick at this point. That is a massive fall from grace for a guy who was supposed to be the next Cam Newton.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Roster and the Colts' Future
If you're still holding onto Richardson in a dynasty league, you're basically gambling on a "fresh start" narrative. The talent is still there. You don't lose that 10.0 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) just because you had a bad year or a freak eye injury. But the environment in Indy has turned sour.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon, now running the show for the Colts, has been notably silent on Richardson’s future. When asked recently, she said she’s "staying in her lane" and letting the football guys handle it. That's a far cry from the vocal support the Irsay family usually gives to their franchise stars.
Actionable Next Steps for Colts Fans and Observers
- Watch the Injury Reports: Richardson’s trade value depends entirely on his vision clearing up. If he isn't cleared for full-contact by March, he might stay in Indy simply because no one will trade for him.
- Monitor the Daniel Jones Contract: If Jones signs a multi-year deal with heavy guarantees, Richardson is 100% gone. The Colts won't pay a backup that much when they have Riley Leonard on a rookie contract.
- Check the Coaching Hires: Keep an eye on who Miami and other QB-needy teams hire as their head coach. An aggressive, run-heavy offensive coordinator might see Richardson as the ultimate reclamation project.
The reality is that Richardson’s time as the face of the Indianapolis Colts has likely reached its end. It wasn't because of a lack of talent, but a combination of bad timing, "system fit" issues with Steichen, and the kind of "bad luck" injuries that can derail even the brightest stars.
The next few months will determine if he’s a "bust" or just a superstar who needed a different zip code.
Expert Insight: Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. That is usually where these "under the radar" trade talks for former high-profile picks get finalized. If Richardson is moved, it will likely happen before the new league year begins in March 2026.