Colts decline Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option, setting former No. 4 overall pick up for free agency

The Indianapolis Colts person declined backmost Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.

Richardson, nan team’s No. 4 wide prime of nan 2023 NFL Draft, is headed for free agency aft nan 2026 season.

The move was 1 galore viewed arsenic inevitable considering nan tumultuous commencement Richardson has had to his NFL career. The Florida merchandise has dealt pinch a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play, resulting successful nan Colts needing to look extracurricular nan statement for backmost thief earlier nan commencement of nan 2025 season.

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Indianapolis Colts backmost Anthony Richardson Sr. warms up earlier an NFL preseason crippled against nan Baltimore Ravens astatine M&T Bank Stadium successful Baltimore, Md., connected Aug. 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Indy was precocious connected Richardson erstwhile they took him pinch nan 4th wide prime of that year’s draft, though location were immoderate who questioned if he was NFL fresh correct away.

That proved not to beryllium nan case, arsenic Richardson divided clip pinch seasoned journeyman Gardner Minshew successful 2023, while Joe Flacco yet took complete for him successful 2024.

Richardson would yet get his starting spot backmost complete Flacco successful 2024, pinch nan Colts announcing he would beryllium nan team’s starter nan remainder of nan way.

Indianapolis Colts backmost Daniel Jones runs disconnected nan section aft nan crippled against nan Los Angeles Chargers astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, Calif., connected Oct. 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

But he was benched anterior to Flacco coming successful aft voluntarily taking himself retired of a crippled for 1 play, saying he "needed a breather." The move was bullied by pundits and fans alike, and nan Colts yet made an illustration of it.

This past season, nan Colts signed Daniel Jones successful nan offseason, arsenic nan New York Giants released him midway done nan 2024 campaign, parting ways pinch their ain first-round prime who had a roller-coaster tenure pinch nan franchise. Jones and Richardson were pitted successful an unfastened backmost conflict astatine nan commencement of training camp, and connected Aug. 19, Jones was named nan team’s starter.

Richardson served arsenic Jones’ backup to statesman nan year, but he was placed connected nan injured reserve aft a freak mishap fractured an orbital bony successful his oculus during pregame warmups.

Richardson besides dealt pinch a grade-three AC associated sprain that required an IR stint during his rookie season. It was initially expected to beryllium a one-to-two-month recovery, but he needed room to repair nan shoulder.

Indianapolis Colts backmost Anthony Richardson warms up earlier a crippled against nan Miami Dolphins astatine Lucas Oil Stadium connected Sept. 7, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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Overall, Richardson heads into his 4th NFL play fighting for his adjacent contract, whether it’s pinch nan Colts aliases elsewhere.

Jones re-signed pinch Indianapolis connected a two-year woody worthy $88 cardinal pinch $50 cardinal guaranteed, and rookie Riley Leonard remains connected nan extent floor plan arsenic well.

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