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The Indianapolis Colts have declined the fifth-year option of quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Richardson, the team’s No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is headed to free agency after the 2026 season.
The move was seen by many as inevitable given Richardson’s tumultuous start to his NFL career. The Florida product has dealt with a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play, forcing the Colts 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, Maryland on August 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Indy was high on Richardson when they selected him with the fourth overall pick in that year’s draft, although some wondered if he was immediately ready for the NFL.
That didn’t turn out to be the case, as Richardson split time with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in 2023, while Joe Flacco eventually took over for him in 2024.
Richardson would eventually regain his starting spot against Flacco in 2024, with the Colts announcing he would be the team’s starter the rest of the way.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on October 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But he was benched before Flacco’s arrival after voluntarily withdrawing from a game for one play, saying he “needed a break.” The move was ridiculed by pundits and fans alike, and the Colts ultimately made an example of it.
Last season, the Colts signed Daniel Jones during the offseason, as the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 campaign, parting ways with their own first-round pick who had a rollercoaster tenure with the franchise. Jones and Richardson faced off in an open quarterback battle early in training camp, and on August 19, Jones was named the team’s starter.
Richardson served as Jones’ backup to start the year, but he was placed on injured reserve after a freak accident fractured his orbital bone during pregame warmups.
Richardson also dealt with a third-year AC joint sprain that required a stint on IR during his rookie season. It was initially expected that he would need one to two months of recovery, but he had to undergo surgery to repair the shoulder.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 7, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
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Overall, Richardson enters his fourth NFL season fighting for his next contract, whether 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.
