The Indianapolis Colts have declined quarterback Anthony Richardson’s fifth-year option.

Richardson, the team’s No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is headed for free agency after the 2026 season.

The move was one many viewed as inevitable considering the tumultuous start Richardson has had to his NFL career. The Florida product has dealt with a plethora of injuries and inconsistent play, resulting in the Colts needing to look outside the organization for quarterback help before the start of the 2025 season.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 7, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Indy was high on Richardson when they took him with the fourth overall pick of that year’s draft, though there were some who questioned if he was NFL ready right away.

That proved not to be the case, as Richardson split time with veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew in 2023, while Joe Flacco eventually took over for him in 2024.

Richardson would eventually get his starting spot back over Flacco in 2024, with the Colts announcing he would be the team’s starter the rest of the way.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones runs off the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

But he was benched prior to Flacco coming in after voluntarily taking himself out of a game for one play, saying he “needed a breather.” The move was ridiculed by pundits and fans alike, and the Colts ultimately made an example of it.

This past season, the Colts signed Daniel Jones in the offseason, as the New York Giants released him midway through the 2024 campaign, parting ways with their own first-round pick who had a roller-coaster tenure with the franchise. Jones and Richardson were pitted in an open quarterback battle at the start of training camp, and on Aug. 19, Jones was named the team’s starter.

Richardson served as Jones’ backup to begin the year, but he was placed on the injured reserve after a freak accident fractured an orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups.

Richardson also dealt with a grade-three AC joint sprain that required an IR stint during his rookie season. It was initially supposed to be a one-to-two-month recovery, but he needed surgery to repair the shoulder.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

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Overall, Richardson heads into his fourth NFL season fighting for his next contract, whether it’s with the Colts or elsewhere.

Jones re-signed with Indianapolis on a two-year deal worth $88 million with $50 million guaranteed, and rookie Riley Leonard remains on the depth chart as well.

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