Anthony Richardson 5th-Year Contract Option Decision Reportedly Made by Colts Amid NFL Trade Rumors

The Indianapolis Colts will not exercise their fifth-year option on quarterback Anthony Richardson's rookie contract, meaning his deal with the team will expire after the 2026 season, per Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports.

Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has played in 17 games (15 starts) over three seasons, completing 50.6 percent of his passes for 2,400 yards (6.9 yards per attempt), 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He's also rushed for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Richardson was the team's starter from Day 1 in his rookie season, but he unfortunately was held to four games after suffering a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.

He returned as the team's starter in 2024. Unfortunately, he was hindered by injuries again, missing two games apiece due to an oblique injury and a back injury. He was also benched for a pair of games in favor of veteran Joe Flacco.

Despite some electric moments and flashes of potential, Richardson ultimately struggled, completing just 47.7 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 1,814 yards. He did rush for 499 yards and six scores.

In 2025, the Colts signed veteran Daniel Jones to a one-year deal, and the former New York Giant beat Richardson in an offseason battle to be QB1.

Richardson's tough 2025 got even worse when he suffered an orbital fracture during an odd pregame incident in October involving elastic bands to stretch. ESPN's Stephen Holder provided more details.

"The specifics were murky, but the source said the incident happened when an apparatus players use to attach the warmup bands to malfunctioned, resulting in an impact with Richardson's face."

Richardson is "still recovering a little bit" from the injury, per Colts general manager Chris Ballard to reporters earlier this month (h/t Colts.com writer J.J. Stankevitz). Thankfully, Richardson has been cleared for activity and is "doing everything," per Ballard.

Richardson issued a trade request earlier this offseason, and Ballard gave an update on that as well.

"We've had some calls, but nothing's come to fruition at this time," Ballard said. "So at this point he's still an Indianapolis Colt."

It's possible Richardson remains a Colt for the 2026 season, but one can guess his time in Indianapolis may be ending soon, with the team declining the chance to exercise a fifth-year option the latest sign of that happening.