The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade.

This will allow Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, to speak with the GMs of other teams to persuade them to make a trade for Richardson. Richardson is represented by Legacy Sports. 

Richardson was drafted by the Colts with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was one of three QBs drafted in the first round that season, along with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. 

Richardson started the 2023 season as the Colts’ starting QB. However, after four mediocre performances, he was benched for Gardner Minshew.

He was the starting QB for the 2024 season as well. He threw eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games. Injuries and inconsistencies from Richardson allowed Joe Flacco to play six games. 

Heading into the 2025 season, Richardson was expected to compete with Daniel Jones for the starting spot. Jones won the starting spot out of training camp. He led the team to an 8-5 record before tearing his Achilles. Even after Jones was injured, the Colts chose to start 2025 draft pick Will Leonard instead. Richardson played in two games and made just two passes. 

Richardson has thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in three seasons. ESPN reported that the Colts intend to try to re-sign Jones in free agency. There seems to be no spot for Richardson on the roster anymore. 

The New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams looking for QBs. The Steelers started Aaron Rodgers last season, who has yet to commit to playing in 2026. Meanwhile, the Jets started a revolving door of QBs, which included Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook. 

The NFL offseason officially begins on March 11. Although teams can agree to trades before this date, they will not be officially approved.

The Indianapolis Colts and former first-round pick Anthony Richardson Sr. will be working together to find a fresh start for the former Florida Gator.

The Colts drafted Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and for whatever reason, it just never seemed to work out for both sides.

Richardson started only 15 games in his three seasons with the Colts, dealing with shoulder injuries and inconsistent play. In those 15 starts, Richardson had 21 total touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while going 8-7. On the surface, those numbers are solid, but Richardson completed just above 50% of his passes.

This season, Richardson lost the preseason battle to Daniel Jones, whom the Colts brought in to compete with Richardson. Richardson missed all of last year after suffering a fractured orbital bone in a pregame incident that left him on the injured reserve, where he finished the season.

Richardson, who is only 23 years old, seems healthy and, with his vision back, hopes to follow the Malik Willis trajectory.

His agent, Deiric Jackson, will look for a suitor for Richardson who can help his development, whether that means being a backup next season and learning under a veteran quarterback.

The Colts would save $5.385 million in salary cap space with $5.43 million in dead money if Richardson is traded before June 1. Richardson has one season remaining on his rookie contract unless his 2027 fifth-year option is exercised.

2024 was an eventful year for quarterback Daniel Jones. He returned from a torn ACL, went 2-8 for the New York Giants, was benched, and then was released by request. Following a stint on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, Jones is now signing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, where he’ll back up Anthony Richardson. Or will he?

It was only two years ago that Jones led a Giants team to a playoff berth and then a round one upset over the Vikings. In 2022, he threw for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions, posting a passer rating of 92.5. While those stats took a nosedive in the 2023 season even before his injury, with just two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games, the Colts will be looking to maximize Jones’ proven upside.

As far as the quarterback room Jones will be joining, Richardson didn’t have the most productive 2024. His completion percentage was just 47.7%, a little lower than his career completion percentage of 50.6%. He’s shown moments of dazzling athletic upside, and he’s only played 15 games in the NFL so far. Still, Richardson’s eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions weren’t the bright spot of this Colts team (which finished only a couple wins out of a playoff spot), to put it lightly.

Jones’ entrance helps set up what general manager Chris Ballard described as an “open competition” at the quarterback position. Ballard added that as Richardson “continues to progress in his young career, us adding competition, I think, will help up everybody’s game.”

Considering Richardson’s lack of experience, Jones will likely serve as a steadier backup as the Colts attempt to turn Richardson into a starting-caliber quarterback. Both have high demonstrated upsides. Unfortunately, as the past season has shown, both also have very low floors.

If the Colts hope to contend this year, they’ll be betting on a sudden change of pace from either quarterback – but Richardson, who’s five years younger, will almost certainly be getting more runway.

Cincinnati Bengals defenders had a field day launching verbal taunts at Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson during a joint practice Wednesday. Richardson threw an interception during 11-on-11 drills and repeatedly resorted to scrambling.

“Is that all he does is run?” Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt yelled at Colts fans watching the practice.

Richardson, who is coming off an injury-riddled rookie season in Indianapolis, is widely expected to be a playmaker for the team in his sophomore outing. In many ways, his performance Wednesday backed this up, as he found rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell in traffic for a touchdown and excelled in a two-minute drill.

At other times though, he obviously struggled to find open targets and had one passed intercepted off a deflection. It was a mixed showing, emblematic of Richardson’s NFL career so far in many ways. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that working with other teams will be a valuable resource for the young passer.

“I think it’ll be really good for [Richardson],” Steichen said of joint practices this week. “Any time you can get out there in those game-like situations, it’s good. Obviously, you want to be smart with these guys in the preseason because we’ve got a long season ahead of us, but we’re excited to get those guys out there.”

In 2023, Richardson was a marvel when he appeared on the field, finding success in the air as well as on the ground. Unlike many running quarterbacks, Richardson is 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, which many thought would keep him healthy. Despite his size, however, he had trouble protecting himself, sustaining multiple head injuries and a season-ending shoulder injury in the span of four weeks.

Based on his athleticism alone, Richardson may prove to be a revelatory franchise player for the Colts. Some have already designated him in that role despite his brief appearances to this point. The Bengals may taunt him now, but if Richardson can stay healthy and prolong the flashes of brilliance he has shown thus far, he may be the one getting the last laugh.

Free agent quarterback Joe Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday that will include $4.5 million guaranteed. Flacco could end up as a capable veteran passer under center, but it’s clear that the team is bringing him in as a mentor for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

“I am really excited about going to Indy and working with their young guy,” Flacco said on The Pat McAfee Show Thursday.

After less than a half-season with the Jets in 2022, Flacco appeared to be on his way out of the league until the Browns came calling in dire need late in the 2023 season.

With starter Deshaun Watson struggling with multiple injuries, the team called on the longtime Ravens quarterback to take the reins. Flacco had a brief renaissance, throwing for 1,600 yards with 13 touchdowns and leading Cleveland to the postseason.

Even at age 39, Flacco’s performance for Cleveland ensured that he would stay in the league for at least one season. Indianapolis ended up signing the veteran. In addition to the guaranteed money, Flacco can also earn more than $4 million in incentives as well.

Though he could end up being the Colts’ starter, it is unlikely that Flacco will be the same emergency option he was for the Browns. The team is likely hoping that his experience proves more valuable than his ability. Indianapolis is trying to turn Richardson, a talented but raw athlete, into a franchise-defining player. Based on his brief rookie season, it’s easy to see the potential.

After just one season as a starter at the University of Florida, Richardson entered the 2023 NFL Draft with plenty of hype and concerns. At one point in the league’s history, he would have fallen in the draft. He was, and still is, considered a serious project, a player with endless potential but limited fundamentals.

In the Patrick Mahomes era, teams have been more willing to see the diamond in the coal, and the Colts took the 21-year-old with the fourth overall pick. Even more ambitious, the team named him the Week 1 starter.

In four games, Richardson seemed to affirm everything scouts said about him out of college, for better or worse. On the one hand, he proved to be a tremendous athlete, capable of effortlessly launching the ball downfield. He even showed some unexpected precision on anticipation throws. When he wasn’t throwing, he proved highly effective as a runner earning four rushing touchdowns to his three through the air.

On the other hand, Richardson demonstrated a clear inability to protect himself and tried to unnecessarily extend several plays. This led to three fumbles in a short span, but there were even worse consequences. He suffered a concussion in Week 2 and a joint sprain in Week 5, the latter of which ended his season before it could really begin.

Richardson spent the rest of the season on the bench behind Gardner Minshew, who competed well but ultimately failed to lead the Colts to the postseason. Several Colts coaches have claimed that the time off was good for Richardson, who has reportedly responded well to teaching efforts. Flacco will likely be expected to teach him further as Richardson steps back into the starting role.

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson could be out for a month following an injury to his right shoulder.

He left the game in the second quarter after a tackle by Titans linebacker Harold Landry kept him on the ground before staffers attended to him, despite being questionable, he was ruled out in the second half. Before the injury, Richardson went nine or 12 for 98 yards.

Richardson was replaced by Gardner Minshew, who helped lead the Colts to a win over the Tennessee Titans 23-16. 

Richardson is expected to go through an MRI of his shoulder and will receive a second opinion, as the initial belief was that he suffered a grade three sprain to the AC joint.

The Colts, who are currently 3-2, face the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 15.

Free agent quarterback Cam Newton may still be hesitant to the idea, but after a season out of the league, the former star passer is reportedly considering roles as a backup quarterback in the NFL. Newton released a list of 12 quarterbacks he would be willing to play behind.

While none of the teams with quarterbacks on the list have expressed legitimate interest in signing Newton, who last played for the Carolina Panthers in 2021, it is still interesting to consider the incentive each potential team might have for signing the aging quarterback. To find a way back to the NFL, Newton would have to serve each of his 12 preferred passers in different ways.

1. Deshaun Watson

As a highly touted quarterback slowly readjusting to competition in the NFL, Watson’s struggles in his first season with the Browns are difficult to assess. Due to glaring incidents in Watson’s personal life, his future as a member of the Houston Texans was derailed and Cleveland took a flyer on him under the assumption that he could be valuable following his suspension. As his backup, Newton would have to prove himself to be a viable contingency option if the problematic starter fails to regain form next season or runs into more trouble off the field. With Jacoby Brissett out of the picture, Newton would have to compete with recent signee Joshua Dobbs for the backup role.

2. Lamar Jackson

Jackson is the first of many quarterbacks on this list with an uncertain future, as it is still unclear if the Baltimore Ravens will agree to his terms for a new contract or trade him to another team. In any case, the team that eventually signs Jackson will have to build an offense around his rushing ability. Newton was a mobile quarterback in his younger years, but if he had to take the field for some reason to replace the starter, it is unlikely that he could still be as threatening on the ground. His primary purpose as a backup in this scenario would likely be as a positive locker room presence for a growing player.

3. Justin Fields

Unlike Jackson, Fields is almost certain to remain in Chicago after the team traded its first overall pick to the Panthers. Similarly to Jackson, however, the team’s offense will likely revolve around his versatile ability as a rusher. Newton seems to believe that he can serve as a viable backup within that sort of offense, a dubious notion at this point in his career. That being said, his experience in the league could prove helpful in teaching a younger talent with a similar skill set. The Bears recently signed P.J. Walker for the job behind Fields.

4. Tua Tagovailoa

While injury risks are an issue for both Jackson and Fields, it is practically imperative that Tagovailoa have a serviceable backup after his multiple setbacks last season. If Newton was the backup in Miami, it is unfortunately more likely than not that he would receive some playing time based on the starter’s injury history. The Dolphins still have Skylar Thompson, who nearly led the team to an upset victory against the Bills in the playoffs, and also signed former Jets backup Mike White.

5. Malik Willis

Of all the quarterbacks on Newton’s list, Willis is arguably the strangest, as he could end up a backup himself if the Tennessee Titans don’t trade Ryan Tannehill or pursue other options at the position. Willis’ rookie season was limited but also profoundly disappointing, as the quarterback showed very little during his time on the field. If Newton was the backup behind Willis, he would have to serve in a mentoring role, but there would also be a distinct possibility of playing time for the backup if Willis didn’t improve.

6, 7 and 8. C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson

Newton clearly wants to work with young quarterbacks. Because they have not yet been drafted to a team, it’s almost impossible to assess whether Newton could feasibly serve as the backup for any of these highly touted passers. That being said, his status as a Heisman winner and first overall pick in 2011 could make him an excellent mentor for any of them, particularly Richardson, who has mirrored Newton in many ways as a tremendous college athlete. Richardson even compared himself to Newton in March.

9. Jalen Hurts

Barring an unforeseen injury, it is unlikely that Newton would ever see the field in a significant capacity while working behind Hurts. The Eagles also signed Marcus Mariota during the offseason as a backup. Hurts is still developing as a passer, but after appearing in a Super Bowl, it is unlikely that Hurts would significantly benefit from Newton as a locker room presence.

10. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is still unofficially a New York Jet and officially a member of the Green Bay Packers. Regardless of where he ends up playing in 2023, it is very difficult to understand how Newton could serve as a contributive presence on a team featuring Rodgers, who famously has a very controlling locker room presence. As a player, Newton would only be of service if Rodgers regressed suddenly with age, and it would be more prudent for a team to have a younger quarterback ready in that case.

11. Josh Allen

Allen is good at football and the Bills will be a Super Bowl contender for years to come. His potent arm and physical rushing ability resemble Newton’s at his peak as well, so it makes sense why Newton might want to take a job behind him in upstate New York. The Bills also lack a credible backup option for their star, who has proven highly durable thus far but could always suffer an unforeseen injury. Of all the possible landing spots on Newton’s list, this one has the least drawbacks.

12. Sam Howell

As one of the most vulnerable starters in the NFL, Howell could provide a very convenient way for Newton to return to the field as a starter. Howell only appeared in one game for the Washington Commanders last year and enters his second season on a team without any serious prospects of making the postseason. Washington has already signed Brissett as a capable backup in case things go awry for the young upstart. Newton would have served a nearly identical role, but his potential is far more uncertain than Brissett’s, who started in Cleveland for most of last season.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson announced on Sunday that he will no longer go by the nickname “AR-15” or use it for branding purposes.

The moniker, which combines his initials and jersey number, is also the name of the assault rifle used in mass shootings including the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers in May.

The Gators quarterback released a statement explaining his decision.

“After discussions with my family and much thought, I have decided to no longer use the nickname ‘AR-15’ and the current apparel line logo, which features a scope reticle, as part of my branding,” the statement read. “White a nickname is only a nickname and ‘AR-15’ was simply a representation of my initials combined with my jersey number, it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form. My representatives and I are currently working on rebranding, which includes the creation of a new logo and transition to simply using ‘AR’ and my name, Anthony Richardson.”

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Richardson, who is going into his redshirt sophomore season, backed up starter Emory Jones last year. Despite playing off the bench and dealing with a knee injury late in the season, Richardson contributed by throwing for six passing touchdowns and adding three more on the ground. Richardson is expected to take over starting duties for the Gators as Jones transferred to Arizona State earlier this year.