When asked about the status for both veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II and quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., Indianapolis Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard recently responded, “Nothing. Nothing yet,” in regards to finding a potential trade that would be worth the franchise’s while.
Both players had previously requested a trade out of Indianapolis earlier this offseason.
While Ballard has already publicly stated that he still values Richardson and wouldn’t release him outright, if a possible
trade partner couldn’t be found, which isn’t the case for Moore II, there’s been no meaningful update:
“Anthony is not here,” said Ballard. “He’s also requested a trade. He’s down in Jacksonville training. I actually have talked to his trainer, and I talk to him often, and his agent, but he’s in good spirits. Nothing has transpired at this point. I don’t know what other question you’ll ask other than, ‘Will he be here?’ Well, he could be. but we’ll see.”
Richardson did not previously participate in the Colts offseason program. However, he’s previously trained in Jacksonville in the past during offseasons (and during his 2024 shoulder rehab), including with former Indianapolis quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Of course, Jacksonville is close to his hometown of Gainesville, Florida, for the former University of Florida starting quarterback. Report: Colts work out six players on Friday
Hurting the Colts chances of possibly finding a meaningful return in an eventual Richardson trade is that a number of potentially interested trade suitors took rookie quarterbacks relatively early on during last weekend’s NFL Draft:
- Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (#1 overall)
- Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, Alabama (#13 overall)
- Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, Miami (#65 overall)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, Penn State (#76 overall)
- New York Jets: Cade Klubnik, Clemson (#110 overall)
Unless there’s an injury to each of those team’s starter (or in Mendoza’s case, veteran Kirk Cousins), it’s hard to envision why those teams would then take a subsequent chance on Richardson Sr., with already having a young developmental passer as their QB2 (or maybe even QB3) from this recent draft class.
The Minnesota Vikings were also a once popular speculated trade suitor, but have since signed Kyler Murray and have both JJ McCarthy and Carson Wentz as his backups. The Cleveland Browns have Deshaun Watson returning, as well as Shadeur Sanders behind him. Another possibility, the San Francisco 49ers have Brock Purdy with Mac Jones backing him up. The Miami Dolphins have Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers. Lastly, the Baltimore Ravens have Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, and just signed undrafted rookie Diego Pavia to a 3-year contract.
There doesn’t appear to be an obvious suitor for Richardson right now, but as mentioned, injuries could happen.
