Colts won't trade Anthony Richardson, GM Chris Ballard says - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts' decision to name Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback doesn't mean Anthony Richardson Sr. is going anywhere, according to general manager Chris Ballard.

Asked Wednesday during a news conference whether Richardson, the fourth overall selection in the 2023 draft, might be available in a trade, Ballard offered an emphatic response.

«We're not trading him,» Ballard said.

The Colts, Ballard said, aren't giving up on the physically gifted but inconsistent Richardson despite the optics created by their past decisions. Coach Shane Steichen temporarily benched Richardson for two games last season, replacing him with veteran Joe Flacco amid a season when Richardson completed 47.7% of his pass attempts.

The Colts then signed Jones to compete with Richardson in March. They followed that with the selection of Jones as their starter last week even after many in the organization agreed Richardson had his best training camp to date.

«It's easy to say, 'OK, he's done,'» Ballard said of Richardson. «I don't agree. I've said this numerous times — I do not agree with that. I think overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way are good for anybody. I do. I'm proud of Anthony, of where he is at, how far he's come. He's come miles.

»It is tough on any young quarterback in this league, but for him to keep taking the growth steps that he has and to work so hard and then not get the goal for himself. All right, now to continue to do that, that's when we've got a chance to see real growth."

But will being sidelined actually result in substantive growth for Richardson, who started just 13 games in college and just 15 games as a pro?

«There's a lot of value in sitting behind a guy that's a