Andrew Buller-Russ
After an offseason of roster-building, the Indianapolis Colts are prepping for a new year. Before they kick off the season against the Baltimore Ravens on September 13 for Week 1, Colts general manager Chris Ballard will have to make a series of tough decisions.
Right now, the Colts’ roster sits at 90 players. On August 26, they’ll have to trim that number from 90 down to 53 players. In doing so, the Colts may feel compelled to release a recent first-round pick.
Recently, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report suggested that, rather than find a trade partner, the Colts may wind up releasing Anthony Richardson. It’s what we just saw them do with former Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore, who still hasn’t found a new team.
“According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Anthony Richardson Sr. and the Indianapolis Colts mutually agreed to explore a trade. Richardson has struggled with his passing efficiency (50.6 percent completion rate) and availability (15 starts in three years) through most of his three seasons, which is why teams may not offer much for him in trade proposals. As was the case with cornerback Kenny Moore II, the Colts may outright release Richardson if he has a weak or non-existent trade market.”
BR’s Moe Moton on Anthony Richardson
Richardson would surely prefer to be released rather than traded elsewhere. That would give the 23-year-old the opportunity to hand-pick his next team.
On the surface, it seems hard to believe that the Colts would have to release a player who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet, with the Colts likely looking at a very small trade return for a player who will be a free agent at season’s end, it wouldn’t be unprecedented for them to decide that releasing Richardson would be best.
For now, Richardson is set to return as the backup to Daniel Jones, who signed a two-year, $88 million extension this offseason. The Colts also have 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard, plus 2025 undrafted free agent Seth Henigan.
With Jones recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, the Colts may prefer the extra insurance Richardson provides, and there’s always a chance he balls out in the preseason, prompting a trade offer from an interested team.
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