It seemed like the 2025 season was going to be the last chance for the Indianapolis Colts to figure out if they had their guy for the future in Anthony Richardson. A former first-round pick, his rawness hadn’t translated well to the NFL level, leading to questions about his position as the potential franchise centerpiece for the Colts.
However, a career renaissance from Daniel Jones, signed in the offseason as potential competition for Richardson, has made him expendable. Currently the QB2 on the roster, he was suddenly shifted to QB3 ahead of their Week 6 clash against the Arizona Cardinals. For fans, immediate speculation about the trade rumors plaguing Richardson began in full force.
Is an Anthony Richardson Trade on the Horizon?
Hours before the game, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed the news on X, “#Colts QB Anthony Richardson, the third QB today, was injured in warmups today, source said. So, not a healthy scratch.”
But for the fan base, the circumstances seemed too convenient. Over the course of the season, reports have been mounting about Richardson potentially being on the move. Given Jones’ success, it seems unlikely that he’ll regain his job in Indianapolis.
As a result, fans were unwilling to accept the injury report at face value. One fan outright wrote, “Yea Anthony Richardson about to be traded.” Others believed the move might signal something is coming in the pipeline for the Colts.
Yea Anthony Richardson about to be traded https://t.co/ayOcKi4DN7
— Garrett Sager (@TheGarrettSager) October 12, 2025
As one fan argued, “Anthony Richardson needs to be traded while he still has some value. #Colts,” another believed the demotion was done with that exact idea in mind, to prevent some unfortunate injury ruining a potential deal.
Anthony Richardson needs to be traded while he still has some value. #Colts
— Brock Van Wagoner (@BrockVWoodsy) October 12, 2025
He wrote, “Probably is getting traded. Need to protect the asset. @MiamiDolphins @Colts Jaylen Wright for Anthony Richardson is a fair trade! Make it happen!” Some questioned the validity of the injury purely because of what it was designated as.
Probably is getting traded. Need to protect the asset. @MiamiDolphins @Colts
Jaylen Wright for Anthony Richardson is a fair trade!
Make it happen!
— Billy Covell (@Chooch2720) October 12, 2025
One fan provided a detailed reasoning for his conclusion, stating, “Anthony Richardson is inactive today along with AD Mitchell. Mitchell likely due to his fumble a couple of weeks ago, and with Pierce active today. Richardson makes you wonder if he’s potentially getting traded.”
Anthony Richardson is inactive today along with AD Mitchell
Mitchell likely due to his fumble a couple of weeks ago, and with Pierce active today
Richardson makes you wonder if he’s potentially getting traded
— 𝙇𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙥 📸 (@LukeVerkamp) October 12, 2025
Rapoport added, “More info: Anthony Richardson suffered an eye injury doing band work in pregame warmups, source said.” But for fans, the common sentiment was summarized perfectly by one fan, who wrote, “Only Anthony Richardson can injure his eye warming his hands up.”
Only Anthony Richardson can injure his eye warming his hands up https://t.co/xsYpZOEpda
— dafuquptalkingtome (@I_aint_p) October 12, 2025
Apart from his accuracy issues and general lack of experience limiting his productivity, the injury concerns had also become a major problem over the years. With another addition to that column, some fans were ready to declare it. “Anthony Richardson may be a draft bust officially.”
The injury designation makes it seem unlikely that the demotion was in lieu of a trade. But a move for Richardson could very well be in the works, with the talent of the youngster potentially valuable for a lot of different organizations.
