Anthony Richardson’s latest preseason outing only sharpened the Colts’ quarterback mess.
Indianapolis is already juggling a competition that hasn’t produced much clarity, and Saturday’s 34-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons did nothing to clean it up. Riley Leonard and Richardson are both trying to carve out their place behind Daniel Jones, but after two preseason games, neither has made a strong case.
Richardson has flashed here and there, but the overall picture is still shaky. Against New England, he was merely middling with a few encouraging moments.
Against Atlanta, it went backward fast: he completed just three of nine passes for 24 yards and took two sacks. Leonard wasn’t lights-out either, but in this game he came out ahead.
That leaves Richardson in a precarious spot. The Colts have said he’ll remain with the team this season, but what happens beyond that is far less settled.
His future in Indianapolis has been a live issue, especially with his trade request still reportedly in play. The Colts, for now, haven’t moved on it.
After the Falcons game, Richardson was asked about where things stand, and his answer didn’t exactly sound like a player brimming with confidence about his standing in the building.
“Just looking forward to help the team," Richardson said. "If they truly believe that I still have a chance to be on this squad, then I’d love that. I just want to be able to contribute, put my best foot forward, and help the team win."
That line - “if they truly believe that I still have a chance” - is the one that jumps out. Maybe it was just a careful answer from a quarterback trying to stay focused. Or maybe it revealed some real uncertainty about how the Colts see him.
Richardson was responding to comments from Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodd, who told The Athletic earlier in the week, “We want to have three (QBs) that can play. So, if he’s one of them, he’s gonna be here.”
Dodd’s comments came in the context of Richardson’s trade request and his status with the team. And while Indianapolis continues to insist it’s not rushing into anything, the situation feels unsettled. Richardson is nowhere near the starter conversation right now, even if that remains possible on paper.
For the Colts, the question is no longer just how to sort out the backup job. It’s whether they’re willing to keep carrying this version of Richardson at all - or whether a decision needs to come sooner rather than later.
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