Richardson (eye) is not participating in the start of the Colts' voluntary offseason workout program Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports. Richardson and cornerback Kenny Moore both submitted trade requests earlier this offseason and are now sitting out voluntary workouts. On Richardson's part, however, it's worth noting that GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL owners' meeting late March that a scenario in which the 2023 first-round pick remains in Indianapolis "definitely" exists, per Stephen Holder of ESPN. With the Colts having locked in Daniel Jones (Achilles) as their starter via a two-year extension, a mutual parting of ways with Richardson seems to make the most sense for both sides, but that depends on a trade partner materializing. Ballard said Monday that Richardson is still recovering from his eye injury but "he's cleared for activity and doing everything," James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard said Monday at the NFL owners' meeting that "[t]here's definitely a scenario" in which Richardson (eye) remains with the Colts for the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports. Richardson requested and received permission to seek a trade in late February, and Indianapolis has since re-signed Daniel Jones (Achilles) to a two-year extension that solidifies him as the team's starter. Meanwhile, 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard looked capable of locking down the No. 2 role during the lone start of his rookie campaign, leaving Richardson's role on the roster unclear, beyond as a developmental prospect, were no trade to materialize. Ballard did also say he remains open to adding another QB, due to Jones' uncertainty for Week 1 in his recovery from an Achilles tear, which could indicate that the team still considers it likely Richardson will move on. Richardson ended last season on IR after fracturing the orbital bone of his right eye in October.
Richardson (eye) has requested and received permission from the Colts to seek a trade, James Boyd of The Athletic reports. Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, has played a total of just 17 regular-season games across his tenure with Indianapolis, with injuries playing a significant role in the extent of his missed time. Last summer, the 2023 first-rounder lost his starting job to quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2025 campaign and was then replaced under center by free agent veteran Philip Rivers, with Richardson having been placed on IR due to a fractured orbital bone of his right eye suffered Oct. 12. While Richardson had his 21-day practice window opened down the stretch, he was not cleared to retake the field in time for the Colts' season finale. Richardson -- who Boyd relays has regained full vision in the affected eye -- has one year remaining on his rookie deal and at this stage, his best-case scenario could be to find a fresh start elsewhere in the league with a chance to compete for a starting gig in 2026.