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Colts Drop Richardson's Fifth-Year Option, Save $22.5 M

5/2/2026

Summary

Colts Decline Option

The Indianapolis Colts declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Anthony Richardson on May 1, avoiding a $22.483 million salary for 2027.
Richardson, the No. 4 2023 pick, recorded 2,400 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 634 rushing yards before an October warm-up accident fractured his orbital bone, ending his 2025 season.
After he requested a trade in February, no offers have emerged, though GM Chris Ballard sees him as a trade asset.

Summary

Richardson Band Injury

A malfunctioning warm-up elastic-band device struck quarterback Richardson’s face, causing an orbital fracture in an October pre-game warm-up.
ESPN analyst Stephen Holder confirmed the band malfunction caused the injury.
Richardson missed the rest of the 2025 season, was cleared in early 2026, and skipped the offseason program after filing a February trade request, general manager Chris Ballard said.
Ballard noted trade inquiries but no deal materialized by March.

Summary

Jones Named Starter

Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million contract with $50 million guaranteed, making him the starter.
Jones joined the Colts after the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 season.
On Aug. 19 Indianapolis ended the quarterback competition by naming Jones the starter, leaving rookie Riley Leonard behind him on the depth chart.
Richardson was placed on injured reserve after an orbital fracture, leaving Jones as the only active quarterback.

History

Historical Context

After NFL owners voted 23-9 in 2008 to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement, the league endured an uncapped 2010 season and a 130-day lockout in 2011, underscoring how labor disputes reshape contract tools. Today the Indianapolis Colts declined quarterback Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option, a move rooted in that era’s shifting payroll controls.

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Colts Decline Option

The Indianapolis Colts declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Anthony Richardson on May 1, avoiding a $22.483 million salary for 2027.
Richardson, the No. 4 2023 pick, recorded 2,400 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 634 rushing yards before an October warm-up accident fractured his orbital bone, ending his 2025 season.
After he requested a trade in February, no offers have emerged, though GM Chris Ballard sees him as a trade asset.

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