Colts Make Significant, But Expected Decision On Anthony Richardson Sr.

Colts Make Significant, But Expected Decision On Anthony Richardson Sr.

As expected, the Indianapolis Colts will not pick up the fifth-year option for quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4.

Teams have until Friday, May 1 to make the decision regarding their first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Colts' fourth-year quarterback, and No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is currently on the trade block after requesting a move back in February, but the Colts have struggled to find a suitable trade partner.

With Richardson's long history of injuries, including the current recovery from a freak incident that required eye surgery in 2025, adding an extra year with a $22.5 million price tag (OverTheCap.com) to him would've likely killed any remaining minimal shot at trading Richardson.

While the Colts would be adding an extra year of security with Richardson, it also brings a significant financial commitment, which is not ideal for a new team to take on.

Last Monday, April 20, during his pre-draft press conference, Colts general manager Chris Ballard was asked whether the team planned to pick up Richardson's fifth-year option.

"We have not even talked about it, but that's just one I hadn’t even thought about right now," Ballard said, which told people all they needed to know right then and there. "I'm just thinking more about, ‘Okay, what's his future with us? Is it this year or is it with another team?’"

Since being named the starting quarterback as a rookie, Richardson has only been active for 29 out of a possible 51 career games, missing time with a concussion, and shoulder, hip, back, and eye injuries.

On the field, Richardson was promising, but volatile. He completed just 50.6% of his 350 career pass attempts, including a franchise record-low 47.7% in 2024. He was benched briefly for two games due to his poor performance that year, but came back strong afterward to lead a pair of fourth-quarter comeback wins.