Imagine if you had done what the Colts did

TL;DR

The Indianapolis Colts have declined Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent next year. This decision highlights the team's failure to capitalize on opportunities, leaving them without a playoff appearance for a decade.

Key points

Colts declined Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option
Richardson becomes an unrestricted free agent next year
Colts have not made the playoffs in a decade
Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen failed to capitalize on opportunities
Richardson's performance led to a significant organizational failure

Indianapolis ColtsAnthony RichardsonHouston Texans

Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen on the field following the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images In unsurprising news, the Indianapolis Colts declined Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option. The former fourth overall pick is set to be an unrestricted free agent next year which marks the final nail in the coffin. With no trade suitors, the Colts are prepared to run out the clock. This is the reality of the situation. The other reality is the Colts had a golden opportunity to propel the franchise forward, yet fell on their faces instead while everyone kept their jobs. Who else would be afforded that opportunity? Real talk. The Colts haven’t made the playoffs in a decade and mightily struggled to even win opening week. Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen had the chance to change all of that. Sure they weren’t first overall in the draft but they had time, tape, and plenty of chances to talk it over. With all of that, they chose Richardson while preaching patience. The patience evaporated faster than a puddle on a 104 degree day. The experiment bombed, and there is nothing left to show from it. Think about your job. You’ve been there ten years, yet you never deliver. What you do impacts the organization to such a degree that jobs are on the line every year. A huge project comes your way and it has the chance to change your company forever. You make the decision, tell everyone to give you time to see the vision, and then two years later you completely abandon the plan. Are you still employed? Are you still in charge of the company or have a position at any level there? This real world example doesn’t apply to the Colts and comes into incredible focus when looking through an everyday lens at the failure that was the Richardson experiment. At the end of the day, I don’t mind the gamble. Better to throw the dice and lose than to never have them leave your hand. Once you crap out and the money is gone, the game doesn’t continue though. Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen went all in on Anthony Richardson and lost. I doubt, given the stakes, that most of us would be afforded the same opportunity at our jobs, so why does the Colts organization feel differently?

Q&A

Why did the Colts decline Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option?

The Colts declined Richardson's option due to his underperformance and lack of trade suitors, leading to his impending status as an unrestricted free agent.

What does Anthony Richardson's situation mean for the Colts' future?

Richardson's departure signifies a missed opportunity for the Colts to rebuild and improve, as they have not made the playoffs in ten years.

Who is responsible for the Colts' failure with Anthony Richardson?

Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen are primarily responsible, as they made the decision to draft Richardson and failed to develop him effectively.