The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Anthony Richardson appear to be heading for a split after the 2026 NFL season—but don't expect a dramatic breakup anytime soon.

Despite Richardson's trade request, the Colts are standing firm. They're not rushing to deal him, release him, or send him packing. In fact, the situation has been so calm that Richardson showed up for voluntary offseason workouts this week, after missing the previous two weeks while waiting for a resolution.

So why the hold-up? It comes down to simple roster logic. With starting quarterback Daniel Jones recovering from a torn Achilles, the Colts need depth under center. Richardson, still on his rookie deal, provides valuable insurance—and much-needed reps. Meanwhile, the team also has Riley Leonard in the mix, but trading away a quarterback while your starter is sidelined with a major injury isn't exactly a winning strategy.

From a trade perspective, the Colts don't have much incentive to move Richardson. Any deal would likely net only a mid-round draft pick at best. Other teams aren't exactly lining up either. With most rosters set and quarterbacks healthy at this point in the offseason, the market for a signal-caller in the final year of his contract—with no guarantee he'll stick around beyond that—is tepid at best.

For now, it's a waiting game. Richardson gets the practice time he needs, the Colts keep their quarterback room intact while Jones recovers, and both sides bide their time until a clearer path emerges. Stay tuned.