Colts decline Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option, setting former No. 4 overall pick up for free agency

The Indianapolis Colts person declined backmost Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.

Richardson, the team’s No. 4 wide prime of the 2023 NFL Draft, is headed for escaped bureau aft the 2026 season.

The determination was 1 galore viewed arsenic inevitable considering the tumultuous commencement Richardson has had to his NFL career. The Florida merchandise has dealt with a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play, resulting successful the Colts needing to look extracurricular the enactment for backmost assistance earlier the commencement of the 2025 season.

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Indianapolis Colts backmost Anthony Richardson Sr. warms up earlier an NFL preseason crippled against the Baltimore Ravens astatine M&T Bank Stadium successful Baltimore, Md., connected Aug. 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Indy was precocious connected Richardson erstwhile they took him with the 4th wide prime of that year’s draft, though determination were immoderate who questioned if helium was NFL acceptable close away.

That proved not to beryllium the case, arsenic Richardson divided clip with seasoned journeyman Gardner Minshew successful 2023, portion Joe Flacco yet took implicit for him successful 2024.

Richardson would yet get his starting spot backmost implicit Flacco successful 2024, with the Colts announcing helium would beryllium the team’s starter the remainder of the way.

Indianapolis Colts backmost Daniel Jones runs disconnected the tract aft the crippled against the Los Angeles Chargers astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, Calif., connected Oct. 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

But helium was benched anterior to Flacco coming successful aft voluntarily taking himself retired of a crippled for 1 play, saying helium "needed a breather." The determination was ridiculed by pundits and fans alike, and the Colts yet made an illustration of it.

This past season, the Colts signed Daniel Jones successful the offseason, arsenic the New York Giants released him midway done the 2024 campaign, parting ways with their ain first-round prime who had a roller-coaster tenure with the franchise. Jones and Richardson were pitted successful an unfastened backmost conflict astatine the commencement of grooming camp, and connected Aug. 19, Jones was named the team’s starter.

Richardson served arsenic Jones’ backup to statesman the year, but helium was placed connected the injured reserve aft a freak mishap fractured an orbital bony successful his oculus during pregame warmups.

Richardson besides dealt with a grade-three AC associated sprain that required an IR stint during his rookie season. It was initially expected to beryllium a one-to-two-month recovery, but helium needed country to repair the shoulder.

Indianapolis Colts backmost Anthony Richardson warms up earlier a crippled against the Miami Dolphins astatine Lucas Oil Stadium connected Sept. 7, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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Overall, Richardson heads into his 4th NFL play warring for his adjacent contract, whether it’s with the Colts oregon elsewhere.

Jones re-signed with Indianapolis connected a two-year woody worthy $88 cardinal with $50 cardinal guaranteed, and rookie Riley Leonard remains connected the extent illustration arsenic well.

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