According to their assistant manager Ed Dodds, the Indianapolis Colts currently plan on keeping backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., as they plan on keeping three quarterbacks and don’t plan on detracting from their current team (via The Athletic’s James Boyd).
Now, if the Colts had gotten meaningful trade value back in a swap for Richardson Sr., who requested a trade earlier this offseason, then he would realistically be elsewhere right now to that generous suitor. That being said, such a trade doesn’t
appear to have materialized, and while a significant quarterback injury could certainly happen, most teams already have their backup quarterback plans in place entering the second week of preseason.
Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard indicated earlier this offseason that the Colts weren’t simply going to give away Richardson Sr., still believing he has value and upside. To be fair too, their starting quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off a late season torn Achilles and hasn’t exactly been an ‘NFL ironman’ himself, even dating back to his days as a former franchise quarterback hopeful with the New York Giants.
While he clearly started out rusty, Richardson Sr. actually progressed nicely in his 2026 preseason debut, completing 11 of 14 pass attempts for 145 passing yards and an interception (*which should’ve been caught) to go along with his 53 total rushing yards and rushing touchdown on 6 carries against the New England Patriots. It was that dynamic rushing ability which doesn’t play out as well in Colts camp, but was on full display in this past Thursday night’s exhibition game.
