ESPN makes recommendation to Colts on Anthony Richardson's future originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indianapolis Colts have reached the point in the proceedings where it's time to cut losses.
Anthony Richardson didn't work out. There's not much they can do to change that now.
It just leaves the question -- do they get rid of him at this point, or do they just hang on until the end?
ESPN's Aaron Schatz wrote Wednesday that it makes sense for the Colts to send Richardson off to a change of scenery.
Whether that's in some kind of a trade or an outright cut remains to be seen, but with Daniel Jones in Indy, Richardson doesn't provide much value to the Colts anymore.
"Richardson's early performances with Indianapolis just haven't made the grade," Schatz writes. "As a rookie in 2023, he posted a 45.0 QBR in four starts. In 2024, he registered a 47.4 QBR in 11 starts. He missed almost all of last season, first because the Colts chose to start Daniel Jones over him and later because Richardson sustained a fractured orbital bone during pregame warmups in October. Shane Steichen was supposed to be the coach who could develop an offense around Richardson, but it hasn't worked out. Perhaps another coach could make it work for the signal-caller."
MORE: The Packers are facing a bit of a ripoff with Malik Willis
Injuries haven't helped Richardson's cause, but even when on the field, he was far too inconsistent and inaccurate to make it work.
Clearly, he has big tools. His deep ball arm strength is incredible, and he's a powerful runner (at least when he's avoiding dangerous hits).
But playing QB in the NFL requires stability and the ability to do the simple things well, and Richardson hasn't often shown those traits.
His future almost certainly is somewhere other than Indianapolis. It's just a matter of how long it might take for the Colts, and Richardson, to fully move on.
More NFL news:
- How two teams can both win in a Maxx Crosby trade
- Bills have options to replace WR Keon Coleman
- Michael Pittman's contract may point to a trade
- How will the Vikings get competition for J.J. McCarthy?
- Steelers could go trade route to find a new quarterback
- Could a Chiefs reunion with Tyreek Hill be closer?