The Anthony Richardson experiment in Indianapolis may already be finished.
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The Colts have granted Richardson permission to seek a trade, according to multiple reports. Translation? The No. 4 overall pick from 2023 is likely headed elsewhere before his rookie contract even has time to breathe.
That is not how this was supposed to go.
Richardson was drafted as a traits bet. Big arm. Elite size. Rare athleticism. The scouting report screamed patience. Instead, he was benched 10 starts into his career, replaced by Joe Flacco, questioned about leadership, and memorably asked to come out of a game because he was fatigued.
Things spiraled from there.
The Colts brought in Daniel Jones last offseason. Jones won the job decisively. Richardson suffered a fractured orbital bone in a freak pregame accident. Indianapolis even convinced 44-year-old Philip Rivers to come out of retirement to stabilize the playoff push.
Not exactly a vote of confidence.
General manager Chris Ballard said this week he still believes in Richardson. That sounds more like trade positioning than conviction.
Through 17 career games, Richardson has thrown for 2,400 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing just over 50 percent of his passes. The upside is obvious. The consistency is not.
Quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield needed second chances to reboot their careers. Richardson might be next.
If he is going to shake the bust label, it will not be in Indianapolis.
