Full Breakdown
Colts aim to keep quarterback Anthony Richardson for the 2026 season
8/17/2026, 4:01:01 AM
Core Event
Assistant general manager Ed Dodds indicated that Indianapolis will retain fourth-year quarterback Anthony Richardson rather than pursue a trade. After Richardson’s trade request was granted in February and no suitor emerged, the team kept him for offseason workouts and the upcoming training camp, positioning him as one of three quarterbacks the Colts intend to carry into the 2026 season.
Background & Context
The Colts’ quarterback depth concerns stem from a cascade of injuries last season: starter Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon, while Richardson missed the final games after fracturing his orbital bone in a locker-room accident. To fill the void, the franchise coaxed retired Philip Rivers out of retirement for three starts. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, lost a preseason battle to Jones and subsequently sought a trade, but the organization allowed him to remain and compete for the backup role.
Official Statements & Responses
Dodds emphasized the team-first philosophy, noting the desire to have three viable quarterbacks. Richardson himself affirmed his commitment, stating he will support the team wherever he is needed.
Data & Statistics
Richardson’s rookie contract includes a $4.2 million roster bonus already triggered and a fully guaranteed base salary of $1.145 million for 2026, making him a low-cost option at quarterback. He was the fourth overall selection in the 2023 draft and has completed roughly 50 % of his passes in limited action.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think you take care of your own team first,” — M. Ed Dodds, assistant general manager
- “We want to have three [quarterbacks] that can play,” — M. Ed Dodds, assistant general manager
- “I’ll tell you, this is probably the first time in a while I felt really good in the totality of the (QB room). We feel like we have three guys who can all play, so that’s a great spot to be in right now,” — Chris Ballard, to general manager
- “If that’s what the team wants, that’s what I want. I just want to be able to help the team, and if it’s with this team, then I thank God for it,” — Anthony Richardson
