The Indianapolis Colts declined to pick up Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option for the 2027 NFL season.
This decision didn’t come as a surprise by any means, but out of the 31 first-round picks made in the 2023 NFL draft — Miami forfeited their selection that year — Richardson was one of only nine players to not have his option picked up.
All first-round draft picks earn a four-year rookie deal, but teams also have the ability to pick up or decline that player’s fifth-year option. These decisions have to be made prior to that player’s fourth NFL season. The deadline this offseason was May 1st.
Below are the nine players whose fifth-year options for the 2027 season were declined.
2023 NFL draft picks whose 5th-year options were declined
The Colts are currently trying to trade Richardson. So for that reason, picking up this option was likely never in play, especially after agreeing to a multi-year deal with Daniel Jones. The team is also bullish on Riley Leonard as a backup quarterback option.
But in addition to all of that, as a quarterback, Richardson’s fifth-year option amount came with a steep price tag of $22.4 million — all of which would have been fully guaranteed.
Trading Richardson has proven to be difficult, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting before the draft that the quarterback had a “soft” market. Ballard also wants to ensure that he is getting a fair return for Richardson.
For now, it would seem that the Colts remain in wait-and-see mode. “We’ll continue to work through that,” GM Chris Ballard said while appearing on the ‘Rich Eisen Show.’
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts Anthony Richardson one of 9 players with 5th year option declined
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
