RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) walks off the field after their win against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium. © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Anthony Richardson is entering his fourth year in the NFL, and to say that his career has been a failure so far is an understatement. The Indianapolis Colts spent the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft on him, but so far, he’s not even close to justifying the investment.
Richardson is in the final year of his rookie deal. The Colts declined the fifth-year option on his contract, and he will be a free agent at the end of the season. A preseason trade remains a reality, but NFL analyst Ted Nguyen argues that the best for his career would be to stay in Indianapolis.
NFL Analyst Makes His Case for Anthony Richardson To Stay With the Colts
Even if Richardson remains a work in progress, it’s difficult to imagine another team investing time in his development. After all, the Colts used a high pick on him, and they will use every resource available to make it work before giving up on the prospect.
Considering the coaching staff and his prospects of playing against the presumed starter, the best team for him in 2026 would be the Indianapolis Colts.
That’s the view of Ted Nguyen, an NFL Writer for The Athletic, who argues that his play has improved and Jones is prone to missing games due to injuries during the season.
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“Anthony Richardson’s footwork and motion look more efficient,” Nguyen wrote on X. “Was really accurate vs NE and made some good throws under pressure. Worst play of the day was the fumble on the scramble. INT was a well-thrown ball that his WR dropped. He should just stay with Colts. No system fits him better, and DJ has an injury history. Still just 24 y/o.”
Richardson started 15 games for the Colts during his first two years with the franchise, but in 2025, Jones became the starter after signing in free agency and beating him for the job during training camp. The move worked: Jones led the Colts to an 8-5 record before a torn Achilles tendon ended his season prematurely.
Our PFN QB Impact Metric ranked Jones with an 80.7 grade in 2025, placing him at No. 8. Richardson did not qualify due to his limited snaps, but in 2024, he was ranked 33rd out of 40 quarterbacks with a 69.1 grade.
At the end of the day, after last season’s failures in the second half of the year, the Colts will play the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win, regardless of the investment made to acquire him.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
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