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The Indianapolis Colts declined Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.
Richardson, the team’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is slated to hit free agency after the 2026 season.
The move was one of many deemed inevitable given the tumultuous start Richardson has had to his NFL career. The Florida product has dealt with a slew of injuries and inconsistent play, leading the Colts to need to look outside the organization for quarterback help before the start of the 2025 season.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Indy was high on Richardson when they took him fourth overall in that year’s draft, though some questioned whether he was ready for the NFL right away.
That was not to be, as Richardson split time with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in 2023, and Joe Flacco eventually took over in 2024.
Richardson will finally get his starting spot from Flacco in 2024, with the Colts announcing that he will be the team’s all-time starter.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones runs off the field after a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2025. (Photos by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn)
But he was benched before Flacco came on after voluntarily taking himself out for one game, saying he “needs to breathe.” The move was laughed at by pundits and fans alike, and the Colts ended up making an example of it.
This past offseason, the Colts signed Daniel Jones early in the season, as the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 campaign, parting ways with their first-round pick who had a roller-coaster tenure with the franchise. Jones and Richardson were drawn into an open quarterback battle at the start of training camp, and on August 19, Jones was named the team’s starter.
Richardson served as Jones’ backup to start the year, but was placed on injured reserve after a freak accident broke the orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups.
Richardson also suffered a third-degree AC sprain that required an IR stint in his rookie season. At first it was supposed to be a one to two month recovery, but he needed surgery to repair the shoulder.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025. (Photos by Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn)
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All in all, Richardson is heading into his fourth NFL season fighting for his next contract, whether it’s with the Colts or elsewhere.
Jones re-signed with Indianapolis on a two-year deal worth $88 million with $50 million guaranteed, while rookie Riley Leonard remains on the depth chart.
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