Anthony Richardson is back in the building, but his future with the Indianapolis Colts remains very much up in the air.
The 2023 first-round pick reported to the team's voluntary workouts on Monday, according to The Athletic's James Boyd, even as his trade request remains firmly in place. While Richardson wants to be dealt to another team, sources indicate he's taking a professional approach—showing up, putting in the work, and staying ready "until something changes."
It's been a turbulent offseason for the young quarterback. The Colts and Richardson's camp agreed to explore trade options back in February, but it's unclear how close—or far—the team is from finding a suitable deal. Adding to the uncertainty, Indianapolis declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract last week, a clear signal that the organization is moving on.
Drafted No. 4 overall out of Florida in 2023, Richardson's NFL career has been a rollercoaster of flashes and frustration. He's struggled with accuracy and injuries, starting just 15 games in three seasons. Last year, he lost the starting job to Daniel Jones, who has since been re-signed to a two-year deal. Jones is recovering from a December Achilles injury but is expected to return at some point this season.
Richardson's most recent setback came in Week 6 of last season, when a "fluke accident" with a stretching band fractured his orbital bone, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. It was the latest in a string of tough breaks for a player who has shown tantalizing athleticism but has yet to put it all together on the field.
In 17 total appearances, Richardson has completed just over 50% of his passes, throwing 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He has one year left on his four-year, $33.9 million rookie deal.
When Richardson made his trade request in February, his camp reportedly provided the Colts with medical records confirming he had regained "20/20 vision" following the orbital fracture, per The Athletic. General manager Chris Ballard now faces the challenge of finding a trade partner while the quarterback works out alongside a team he's trying to leave.
For now, Richardson is doing everything he can to stay game-ready—even if it's for a different uniform.