Overview
- The Colts have confirmed Richardson’s February trade request remains active and have paid his $4.24 million roster bonus, which lowers an acquiring team’s near-term cash cost to roughly $1.15 million.
- Head coach Shane Steichen said Riley Leonard and Richardson will be rotated in the preseason opener as both quarterbacks compete for the backup role behind starter Daniel Jones.
- Camp reports show Richardson splitting reps with second- and third-team units and taking some third-team snaps where he threw an interception, which suggests he has not separated himself from Leonard on the depth chart.
- Teams and league insiders continue to raise questions about Richardson’s eyesight after his October 2025 fractured orbital bone, and those medical concerns have depressed trade and signing interest around the league.
- The Colts plan to carry three quarterbacks into the regular season but will use the preseason rotation and the trade-deadline window after Week 9 to decide whether Richardson is traded, kept as QB3 or released before he reaches free agency next year.