It’s been about a month since it was reported that the Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson agreed to mutually seek a trade. However, as of Mar. 31, Richardson remains a member of the Colts.
So what’s the holdup?
Well, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter described on the Pat McAfee Show, Richardson didn’t have much of a trade market develop.
“The market for him was soft. If there was a market for him, they would have traded him and it didn’t materialize.” Schefter said. “So now you have to ask yourself, okay, is it worth it to deal him if we’re flipping picks, like Richardson and a seventh for a sixth. It’s like, why are you going to do that? You might as well hold on to the guy.”
At the NFL league meetings on Monday, GM Chris Ballard was asked if there was a scenario where Richardson could remain with the Colts for the 2026 season, which Ballard conceded there was, highlighting Schefter’s point that Richardson won’t be traded just for the sake of doing so.
“He would obviously like a fresh start and go somewhere where he can get some reps and work and a change of scenery,” Schefter said about Richardson, “but you’re not just going to give away the former fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft unless it makes sense.”
Although the market is soft right now, Schefter left the door open for things to change around or after the NFL draft.
“Now we’ll see how the draft materializes,” Schefter continued, “maybe somebody doesn’t get somebody, maybe somebody gives up some pick that makes it worth the Colts’ while, but what they’re saying there is we’re not going to give him away. I don’t think they were expecting a lot, but they were expecting something back and nothing has materialized so far.”
Richardson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He has a fifth-year option for the 2027 season.
Injuries have been an unfortunate part of Richardson’s career up to this point. In three seasons, he’s appeared in just 17 games.
When on the field, Richardson’s play has been inconsistent. He’s completed just 50.6% of his pass attempts with 11 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 634 yards and 10 additional touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL insider details why Colts haven’t traded Anthony Richardson yet
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
