Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is taking the long view on what has been a rocky start to his NFL career. The 2023 first-round pick (No. 4 overall) has seen his fair share of adversity—from limited playing time in 2025 to a fractured orbital bone suffered in a freak pregame accident. Amid trade rumors that have yet to materialize, Richardson is staying focused on what he can control: his work ethic.

"The Colts are still giving me a chance to go out there and work, work hard and potentially get on the field," Richardson said during a ceremony where his jersey was retired at Gainesville Eastside High School. "Glad to be able to stay in the NFL and put the work in. Just showing up at OTAs, it was a blessing in disguise for me because I just wanted to work and they allowed me to do that so I'm thankful for that."

Richardson's journey has been anything but smooth. Over three seasons, he's appeared in just 17 games, dealing with multiple injuries that sidelined him at critical moments. In 2024, he was benched for a couple of games, and by 2025, he had lost the starting job to Daniel Jones. Yet, the 24-year-old quarterback remains determined to turn things around, attending voluntary offseason workouts and keeping his head down.

"If I don't put that work in to be a better player then I won't be in the NFL," Richardson added. "I just want to work hard and constantly think about my opportunity that I have now and try to take advantage of it."

For a player who entered the league with sky-high potential, Richardson's resilience is a reminder that the path to success in the NFL is rarely straight. Whether he wins back the starting role or finds a new home, his mindset—and his willingness to keep showing up—could be the key to unlocking his next chapter.