Anthony Richardson’s future with the Indianapolis Colts has been under serious scrutiny for months. Frustration had been growing among the team and fanbase due to his lack of development, but tensions boiled over when Richardson removed himself from a game against the Houston Texans, citing exhaustion. Head coach Shane Steichen responded by benching him in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. However, after just two games, the second-year quarterback was reinstated as the starter. While he showed some improvement post-benching, it wasn’t enough to prevent the Colts from bringing in competition in the form of Daniel Jones.
Recent reports suggest that Jones has a legitimate chance to win the starting job, further casting doubt on Richardson’s role. Adding to the uncertainty, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that the Colts are set to host Texas quarterback for a visit early next month ahead of the NFL Draft. Once regarded as a top prospect in the 2025 class, Ewers’ stock took a hit last season due to multiple injuries and even a brief benching. However, many believe his struggles were largely injury-related. Throughout the season, he faced immense pressure from redshirt freshman Arch Manning—one of the most highly regarded quarterback prospects in college football—which led Ewers to play through injuries. His late-season resurgence, throwing for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns with just three interceptions over the final five games, suggests he performed much better when fully healthy.
For the Colts, this latest move signals even greater uncertainty regarding Richardson’s future. While they are committed to an open quarterback competition in training camp, making an immediate trade seems unlikely. However, the combination of signing Jones and now evaluating a polarizing draft prospect strongly indicates that Indianapolis is prepared to move on from Richardson if necessary.
Despite possessing exceptional talent, Richardson has yet to translate his potential into consistent on-field success. While the Colts may not ultimately draft Ewers, this situation serves as a clear warning—if Richardson continues to struggle, the organization won’t hesitate to look for his replacement.
