This latest injury might be the beginning of the end for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.
After evenly split reps with Daniel Jones in OTAs, the Colts third-year quarterback was unexpectedly ruled out for the next stretch of the offseason with a shoulder problem.
There’s a chance this is what secures Richardson’s move off the roster by the time next season rolls around, according to ESPN’s Kevin Clark on NFL Live.
“You don’t give Daniel Jones $14 million unless he’s in a competition,” Clark said. “That’s just the way quarterback salaries work in this league. (Richardson’s) thrown 348 passes in the NFL. In his first two years, that is the second-lowest of any top-10 pick in the last 20 years. Trey Lance is the only player with less pass attempts… Jake Locker had a few more than Anthony Richardson. That’s the area, the pool that Anthony Richardson is in right now. So, he needs to play more football. I’ve never seen anybody more destined to be in the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition than Anthony Richardson.”
That last sentence is the kicker. Richardson is “destined” to be the Steelers’ QB next season.
Pittsburgh, of course, is relying on 41-year old Aaron Rodgers at the helm this season, and likely won’t have solved anything about its long-term quarterback opening by the time next year’s offseason gets here.
The Colts would probably want at least a bit of draft-pick compensation in return in a deal for Richardson, their former top-10 pick.
But it’s been rough for Richardson through two seasons. He’s been hurt a lot but inefficient when on the field. He completed just 47.7 percent of his passes in 2024.
If Richardson can’t be on the field to improve his play in 2025, then his future with the Colts is indeed probably fading fast.