Anthony Richardson says the trade talk isn’t where his mind is right now. With the NFL trade deadline six days away and speculation around him lingering since February, the Colts quarterback said he’s locked in on one thing: getting back on the field.
“Man, I just think about getting on the field. Everybody wants to be able to go out on the field and play, and make plays for the team,” Richardson said.
“I haven't thought about any trade requests or any deadlines. Just showing up to work, preparing and getting ready for my opportunity.”
Richardson’s future in Indianapolis has been a topic all offseason. He requested a trade early in the offseason after losing the starting job to Daniel Jones, and the Colts added another layer in April when they declined his fifth-year option. That leaves him in the final year of his rookie deal and set to hit free agency after this season.
For now, though, the Colts are sticking with Jones. Indianapolis sits at 2-6 after dropping four straight, including Sunday’s 42-7 loss at Jacksonville, and coach Shane Steichen said Monday that Jones will remain the starter for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Richardson’s only real opening against the Jaguars came once the game was already out of hand, which has been a familiar pattern in his season. Asked about the quarterback situation, he said he’s approaching every day as if the job belongs to him.
“I can't really focus too much on it,” Richardson said. “Just gotta keep doing what I been doing.
Come in the building, showing up to work, just preparing like I was gonna be the starter regardless. Regardless of what decision he makes, just gotta make sure I'm prepared when my number is called.”
Whether Richardson is still in Indianapolis by season’s end will come down to whether the Colts get an offer they haven’t received yet.
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