Anthony Richardson is back with the Indianapolis Colts, at least for now. He wants to be traded, but he has found no trade partners. What seems clear is that he is going to enter his fourth and, likely, final season in Indy as a backup quarterback.
He likely knows that, but it hasn't changed his attitude. According to wide receiver Josh Downs, the quarterback has a positive attitude and is handling himself as if he isn't waiting to be traded.
According to The Athletic's James Boyd, Downs told the media this week, "It’s good to have him back in here," Downs said. "He’s a good player. Really good attitude as well. He’s in here joking around, but he’s also working. I'm excited to see him back in here with a smile on his face...AR is needed, and we appreciate him."
Josh Downs says Indianapolis Colts having Anthony Richardson around is not a problem
After missing the first two weeks of voluntary workouts, Richardson made the wise decision to come to camp. To be sure, he didn't have to. No player does, hence the word "voluntary." That he did appear, and without causing any kind of issues, speaks volumes about his character. This could make him more tradeable.
Richardson probably needs to go to another team, too. Not that he is a bad guy, but he has no path to playing for the Colts. Daniel Jones will be QB1, and Riley Leonard will probably be QB2. Richardson faces impending free agency in 2027 with potentially not much of a market.
He wouldn't have likely played a meaningful snap in two seasons, and before that was an inaccurate passer and a poor decision-maker. He obviously has loads of athletic ability, but NFL quarterbacks need more than just a strong arm and fast legs.
Leadership requires character as well, and teams need their starting quarterbacks to eventually be strong leaders. Anthony Richardson hasn't done that with the Indianapolis Colts, and he isn't likely to. That needs to be Daniel Jones. But AR5 could be that guy elsewhere.
At this point, however, he appears far more likely to be spending the 2026 season with the team in Indianapolis. That doesn't do the team or the player much good, but releasing him doesn't truly help either. Indy saves zero dollars by releasing the QB, and Richardson, of course, won't be paid other than the money that was previously guaranteed.
Josh Downs is clear on his stance about Richardson, though. The quarterback is a good guy and not a problem in the locker room. Currently, that is the best that the QB can be in Indy.