Colts general manager Chris Ballard shares update on where things stand on a potential Anthony Richardson trade
Chris Ballard opens up about whats next for Anthony Richardson and the Colts after granting his request to seek a trade.
The Indianapolis Colts made the expected but still notable decision during the scouting combine to grant quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to seek out a trade partner.
The Colts have fully committed to Daniel Jones as their starter for at least the next two years by handing him a two-year contract worth up to $100 million, even after his devastating torn Achilles injury prematurely ended his season. Now the time seems right for the Colts and Richardson to part ways and move towards their separate futures.
General manager Chris Ballard joined the Kay Adams show during the NFL’s annual owners meetings and discussed Richardson’s trade request, making it clear there’s a world where the quarterback is still with the team for the 2026 season.
Chris Ballard leaves the door open for Anthony Richardson to be on the roster in 2026
The writing on the wall has pointed towards Richardson being elsewhere for the 2026 season ever since Jones won the starting j0b over the young quarterback in training camp. Then Jones’ leading the Colts’ offense to so much success through the first eight weeks of the season made it almost a certainty.
Ballard isn’t speaking like thats the case though, sharing that trading Richardson is on the table but “nothing has materialized at this point.” To me, what he is saying here essentially is that the team wants to trade him and move on, but they won’t give him up for free.
So if a team doesn’t make a trade offer worth their while, the Colts will bring Richardson into training camp because they obviously have no plan to cut the 2023 first-round pick. The question now is, what is the price tag the Colts are telling interested teams?
My guess is the Colts are seeking a trade package that amounts to about a fourth-round selection, but at this point, I’m not sure they will get that type of offer. We will have to see whether someone around the league gets desperate or the Colts compromise here, because in the end, I think it’s in the best interests of both parties to split.
Indianapolis Colts News
Colts owner hints at behind the scenes context that played a role in the team bringing Daniel Jones back this offseason
Carlie Irsay-Gordon shared a big reason the Colts wanted to keep Daniel Jones, and it could also be why a young player didn’t work out in Indy.
