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At Indianapolis Colts OTAs, QB Anthony Richardson Sr. discussed his trade request as well as his recovery from last year's season-ending eye injury. (video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)
The Indianapolis Colts took a significant swing to fix their long-term quarterback issues in 2023 when they used the No. 4 overall pick in the draft on quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.
That swing turned out to be a miss.
Injuries have limited Richardson to just 19 of 51 career games, and when he is on the field, consistency has yet to be found. Over his first three years, Richardson has gone from a rookie starter and franchise QB hopeful to a backup hoping for a fresh start on another team.
Recently, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports redid the polarizing 2023 NFL Draft, and unsurprisingly, the Colts did not use that same fourth-overall pick on Richardson. Instead, the Colts selected Alabama edge defender Will Anderson Jr. Richardson was not selected anywhere in the first round of Wilson's re-draft.
"The Colts have tried to improve their pass rush, and I think Laiatu Latu is poised to break out in 2026, but there ain't no way you're passing on Will Anderson Jr. here," Wilson wrote.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) applies defensive pressure against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
While Anderson doesn't fix the Colts' quarterback issues in this instance, he's become a dominant force in his three years in the NFL. Not only is he an elite pass-rusher, racking up 30.0 sacks, but he's also one of the most tenacious run-defending edges in the NFL, producing 46 tackles for loss. He's improved both marks in each season.
READ MORE: Colts OTAs Notes: Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr. Both Participate
This is a story of two players on nearly opposite ends of the NFL spectrum:
Richardson is on the trade block while fighting for a backup role on a team with a questionable quarterback situation.
Anderson just recently signed a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
First, it's important to note that the Colts did not have a chance at Anderson originally in the 2023 draft. After selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second-overall pick, the Texans traded back up ahead of the Colts to No. 3 and selected Anderson. Richardson went next to the Colts at No. 4.
There also wasn't another quarterback available who has carved out anything noteworthy in the NFL. Neither Richardson nor Will Levis, who was the next quarterback taken in the draft, has made any notable impact.
Richardson's career began promisingly enough. He won the starting quarterback role over Gardner Minshew during training camp as a rookie. However, he suffered a season-ending AC joint injury in his right throwing shoulder.
When Richardson returned in 2024, he had taken a clear step back. His lack of chemistry with pass-catchers was clear, as he set a new franchise-low 47.7% completion percentage. He was benched for two games when head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard noticed Richardson "was drowning."
When Richardson's replacement, Joe Flacco, played just about as poorly, Richardson was put back into the lineup. He looked refreshed with the new opportunity, leading a pair of fourth-quarter comeback victories, but a back injury ended his season prematurely.
In 2025, Richardson lost a competition to Daniel Jones to be the Colts' starting quarterback. Richardson then suffered a freak accident before the team's Week 6 game which severely injured his eye and forced his season to end.
In February, Richardson asked the Colts for a trade and was granted permission, although nothing has yet materialized.
Continue reading...
The Indianapolis Colts took a significant swing to fix their long-term quarterback issues in 2023 when they used the No. 4 overall pick in the draft on quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.
That swing turned out to be a miss.
Injuries have limited Richardson to just 19 of 51 career games, and when he is on the field, consistency has yet to be found. Over his first three years, Richardson has gone from a rookie starter and franchise QB hopeful to a backup hoping for a fresh start on another team.
Recently, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports redid the polarizing 2023 NFL Draft, and unsurprisingly, the Colts did not use that same fourth-overall pick on Richardson. Instead, the Colts selected Alabama edge defender Will Anderson Jr. Richardson was not selected anywhere in the first round of Wilson's re-draft.
"The Colts have tried to improve their pass rush, and I think Laiatu Latu is poised to break out in 2026, but there ain't no way you're passing on Will Anderson Jr. here," Wilson wrote.
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Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) applies defensive pressure against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
While Anderson doesn't fix the Colts' quarterback issues in this instance, he's become a dominant force in his three years in the NFL. Not only is he an elite pass-rusher, racking up 30.0 sacks, but he's also one of the most tenacious run-defending edges in the NFL, producing 46 tackles for loss. He's improved both marks in each season.
READ MORE: Colts OTAs Notes: Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr. Both Participate
This is a story of two players on nearly opposite ends of the NFL spectrum:
Richardson is on the trade block while fighting for a backup role on a team with a questionable quarterback situation.
Anderson just recently signed a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
First, it's important to note that the Colts did not have a chance at Anderson originally in the 2023 draft. After selecting Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second-overall pick, the Texans traded back up ahead of the Colts to No. 3 and selected Anderson. Richardson went next to the Colts at No. 4.
There also wasn't another quarterback available who has carved out anything noteworthy in the NFL. Neither Richardson nor Will Levis, who was the next quarterback taken in the draft, has made any notable impact.
Richardson's career began promisingly enough. He won the starting quarterback role over Gardner Minshew during training camp as a rookie. However, he suffered a season-ending AC joint injury in his right throwing shoulder.
When Richardson returned in 2024, he had taken a clear step back. His lack of chemistry with pass-catchers was clear, as he set a new franchise-low 47.7% completion percentage. He was benched for two games when head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard noticed Richardson "was drowning."
When Richardson's replacement, Joe Flacco, played just about as poorly, Richardson was put back into the lineup. He looked refreshed with the new opportunity, leading a pair of fourth-quarter comeback victories, but a back injury ended his season prematurely.
In 2025, Richardson lost a competition to Daniel Jones to be the Colts' starting quarterback. Richardson then suffered a freak accident before the team's Week 6 game which severely injured his eye and forced his season to end.
In February, Richardson asked the Colts for a trade and was granted permission, although nothing has yet materialized.
Continue reading...
