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The Indianapolis Colts have declined quarterback Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.
Richardson, the team’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is headed for free agency after the 2026 season.
The move was one many considered 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, resulting in the Colts having 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 with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, though some questioned whether he was NFL ready right away.
That proved not to be the case as Richardson split time with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in 2023, with Joe Flacco eventually taking over for him in 2024.
Richardson would eventually regain his starting spot over Flacco in 2024, with the Colts announcing he would be the team’s starter the rest of the way.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones runs off the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But he was benched before Flacco came in after voluntarily taking himself out of the game for a single game, saying he “needed a breather.” The move was ridiculed by pundits and fans alike, and the Colts ultimately made an example of it.
This past offseason, the Colts signed Daniel Jones in the offseason when the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 campaign, parting with their own first-round pick who had a rollercoaster tenure with the franchise. Jones and Richardson were in 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 begin the year, but he was placed on injured reserve after a freak accident that fractured an orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups.
Richardson also dealt with a grade three AC sprain that required an IR stop during his rookie season. It was originally supposed to be a one to two month recovery, but he had to have 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. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
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Overall, Richardson is entering 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, and rookie Riley Leonard also remains on the depth chart.
