NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The Indianapolis Colts have declined quarterback Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.
Richardson, the team’s fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is headed to free agency after the 2026 season.
Many saw the move as inevitable considering 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 needing to look outside the organization for quarterback help before the start of the 2025 season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
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 Aug. 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Indy was high on Richardson when they took him with the fourth overall pick in that year’s draft, although there were some who questioned whether he was ready for the NFL right away.
That didn’t turn out to be the case, as Richardson split time with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in 2023, while Joe Flacco eventually replaced him in 2024.
Richardson would eventually regain his starting job over Flacco in 2024, and the Colts announced 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, California, on October 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But he was benched before Flacco came on after voluntarily leaving 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 in the offseason when the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 campaign, parting ways with their own first-round pick who had a rollercoaster experience with the franchise. Jones and Richardson faced off 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 early in the year, but was placed on injured reserve after a freak accident fractured an orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups.
Richardson also dealt with a grade three AC joint sprain that required a stint on IR during his rookie season. Recovery was initially supposed to last a month or two, but he needed surgery to repair his 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/Image Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Overall, Richardson heads into his fourth NFL season fighting for his next contract, whether it be 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 roster.
