Anthony Richardson Calls Colts Return a ‘Blessing in Disguise’

Quarterback Anthony Richardson says that he's grateful to the Colts for allowing him to join the practice session despite asking to be traded.

Anthony Richardson Calls Colts Return a ‘Blessing in Disguise’

Anthony Richardson (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Anthony Richardson has faced multiple injuries during his three years with the Colts, limiting his playing time.
  • Despite seeking a trade and the Colts declining his fifth-year option, Richardson views his return to offseason training as a positive opportunity.
  • Colts head coach Shane Steichen is open to giving Richardson a chance to prove himself amid uncertainty about the team's quarterback situation.

Anthony Richardson is entering his fourth year with the Indianapolis Colts. However, his future with the AFC South franchise remains doubtful.

In three years, he has seen the field sparingly due to constantly dealing with injuries. It started with a grade-three AC joint in his rookie year, followed by oblique and back injuries the following campaign.

Richardson’s 2025 season ended early after he suffered a fractured orbital bone in a freak pregame accident. The Colts placed him on IR, which allowed Daniel Jones to take over as the starter.

Richardson sought a trade earlier in the year, but so far, there haven’t been any takers. In the meantime, the Colts decline to pick up his fifth-year option.

Despite the setback, the Florida alum decided to return to the first phase of the Colts’ offseason training camp, which he views as “a blessing in disguise.”

The Colts are still giving me a chance to go out there and work, work hard, and potentially get on the field. [I am] glad to be able to stay in the NFL and put the work in. Just showing up at OTAs—it was a blessing in disguise for me because I just wanted to work.

Richardson told the IndyStar

Richardson has played a total of 17 games, throwing for 2400 yards on 177 completions, 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, along with rushing for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Colts signed Jones after he left the Vikings ahead of the 2025 season. Jones, a former first-round pick for the New York Giants, outperformed Richardson in camp to bag the starting job.

Jones went 8-5 before suffering a torn ACL. Before the injury, Jones had accumulated 261 completions (68%) for 3101 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 picks, along with rushing for 164 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.

After Jones got hurt, the Colts turned to rookie signal-caller Riley Leonard. The Notre Dame capped off a couple of inspiring performances, but never really looked like winning a game.

Then the Colts pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Head coach Shane Steichen convinced Philip Rivers to come out of retirement. Rivers, who led the Colts to an 11-win season in 2020, threw four touchdowns and ended with a 0-3 record.

An 8-9 record in the South wasn’t enough for the Colts to play postseason football.

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Analyst believes the Colts came very close to cutting ties with Anthony Richardson

Richardson drew comparisons with former league MVP and Auburn legend Cam Newton when he was the quarterback for the Gators for three years. However, he only started 13 games and posted a 6-7 record.

Anthony Richardson Calls Colts Return a ‘Blessing in Disguise’
Anthony Richardson (Image via IMAGO)

Even though the sample size wasn’t vast, NFL scouts greatly valued Richardson. His 6-foot-4 stature reminded them of Newton. The Colts bought into the hype and drafted him fourth overall. He was the third quarterback drafted in 2023 behind Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud.

While neither Young nor Stroud has convinced the league that they can be franchise quarterbacks, they are still ahead of Richardson in the food chain.

After the 2025 season wrapped up, analysts predicted the Colts would cut ties with Richardson, including James Boyd of The Athletic.

Before Richardson rejoined the Colts for spring practice. I honestly thought waiving him was a realistic possibility.

Boyd wrote

His views have since changed. Richardson’s attendance at the training camp is a sign that he wants to stick around and fight for his place on the team.

But now that he’s back in the fold, the likelihood of Richardson being waived is very slim. From talking to a few people behind the scenes on both sides, it appears that they’re trying to approach this situation amicably and professionally.

Boyd wrote

Steichen also seems open to giving Richardson a fair chance to prove himself.

He’s working, going through his fundamentals, details, out there throwing with the guys. And that’s where it’s at right now.

Steichen said earlier this month

Then again, the Colts might still not turn down a good trade offer before the deadline shuts.

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