With no timeline for a trade in sight, what is the Indianapolis Colts’ current plan at quarterback with Anthony Richardson?
After requesting a trade in late February, the Colts have not been able to find a trade partner yet for Richardson. After not taking part in Phase I of the voluntary offseason programs, Richardson is taking part in Phase II with the team.
“He’s back in the fold right now,” Shane Steichen said on Friday, via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “That part’s been good. He’s working, going through his fundamentals, details, out there throwing with the guys, and that’s where it’s at right now.”
Richardson was the backup quarterback to start last season until an eye injury put him on injured reserve. The expectation this offseason was that once Richardson was traded, Riley Leonard would step into that backup role. However, that is yet to happen.
So with Jones still rehabbing, how are the reps being split between Leonard and Richardson at this time? Both are getting their share of opportunities, but as far as who is leading the way, Steichen didn’t comment on that.
“That’s part of it,” Steichen said of splitting reps between the two. “Obviously, he’s going to get reps just like Riley will get reps. We’re in Phase II right now, throwing routes on air, doing walkthrough stuff, and both of those guys will get reps.”
Steichen was also non-committal when asked if Richardson was competing for the backup quarterback role with Leonard.
“Right now, we’re in May, we’ll see how it goes with all that,” said Steichen. “He’s working, he’s here, he’s in good spirits, he was cleared with the play with the vision stuff, so that part’s good.”
As the Colts continue to search for a trade partner, GM Chris Ballard does want to ensure that he gets a fair return for Richardson. However, options appear to be dwindling from what was already a “soft” market, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter called it prior to the NFL draft.
Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is still just 23 years old as he enters his fourth NFL season.
“He’s getting back into the fold right now, obviously throwing again,” said Steichen. “He’s been working down in Florida, doing a workout, so he’s been good. He came back in really good shape, so that was good. He’s been good so far.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Steichen on where things stand with Anthony Richardson in offseason workouts
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
