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Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option not picked up by Colts; what it means
TL;DR
The Colts have decided not to exercise Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option, which would have guaranteed him a $22.483 million salary in 2027. This decision reflects his limited playing time and performance as a backup quarterback.
Key points
- Colts did not exercise Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option
- Richardson's option would have guaranteed $22.483 million in 2027
- He played only two games in 2025 with minimal impact
- Decision reflects his status as a backup quarterback
Daniel JonesColtsAnthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option not picked up by Colts; what it means
The Colts have opted not to exercise the team’s fifth-year option on Anthony Richardson Sr.’s contract, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Friday. The deadline for teams to pickup the fifth-year option on the contract for their 2023 first-round picks is May 1.
Had the Colts triggered the option, Indianapolis would’ve been on the hook for a fully-guaranteed $22.483 million salary to Richardson, the fourth-overall pick from the 2023 draft, in 2027.
Since Richardson lost out to the team’s current starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, in training camp last year, the team picking up that eight-figure option for, at best, a backup quarterback seemed to be unlikely. Richardson appeared in just two games in 2025, his third season in the league, logging 14 snaps and throwing two passes with one completion — to himself on a tipped ball.
Richardson suffered a fractured orbital bone in October in a freak pre-game accident, an injury that required surgery and effectively sidelined him for the rest of the season. The 23-year-old returned to the practice field in December after the Colts brought in 44-year-old Philip Rivers off the couch for an injured Jones, but vision limitations stemming from Richardson’s injury lingered and he never returned to the game day lineup. Richardson told reporters before the end of the season that he was struggling to field snaps during practice.
Richardson’s health has since seemed to trend upward, though Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters ahead of the draft that his young quarterback still had not fully regained his vision. In February, with the Colts clearly working toward a new contract with Jones as the franchise’s short and long-term solution at quarterback, Richardson requested the opportunity to seek a trade. The Colts agreed to work toward that, but a deal has yet to come to fruition — casting uncertainty as to the pair’s future together and if there might be a world where Richardson remains on the Colts’ roster for the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
Q&A
Why didn't the Colts pick up Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option?
The Colts opted not to pick up Richardson's fifth-year option due to his limited playing time and performance, as he appeared in only two games in 2025.
What is the financial impact of not exercising Richardson's fifth-year option?
By not exercising the option, the Colts avoid a fully-guaranteed salary of $22.483 million for Richardson in 2027.
How did Anthony Richardson perform in his third season?
In his third season, Richardson logged only 14 snaps and completed one pass, which was a tipped ball caught by himself.
What does this decision mean for Anthony Richardson's future with the Colts?
Not picking up the option likely indicates that Richardson's role may be limited, potentially as a backup, affecting his long-term future with the team.
