In what could be one of the most stunning quarterback storylines of the offseason, league insiders are now predicting that the Indianapolis Colts may be preparing to move on from former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. According to multiple sources close to the organization, the Colts are reportedly eyeing a top-tier SEC quarterback as Richardson’s potential successor—sending shockwaves through both the locker room and fanbase.
This news comes on the heels of a disappointing and injury-plagued 2024 campaign for Richardson. After a promising start to his rookie season in 2023, expectations were sky-high. But inconsistency, mechanical regression, and multiple stints on the injury report marred his sophomore year. Richardson ended the season with just 14 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a completion percentage that hovered below 60%. More concerning for Colts brass was the lack of development in his pocket awareness and decision-making under pressure.
With a new wave of elite quarterback talent expected to hit the NFL Draft in 2026, the Colts appear to be seriously considering a reset. Sources say the front office has been “extensively scouting” multiple SEC stars, with one name standing out above the rest: LSU’s electrifying dual-threat QB phenom, Carter Beckett.
Beckett, who recently led the Tigers to a College Football Playoff appearance, is being widely projected as a generational talent—a player who combines elite arm strength, top-end mobility, and poise well beyond his years. Scouts have compared him to a more refined version of Cam Newton, with one anonymous GM reportedly calling him “the most complete quarterback prospect in the past five years.”
The potential move would be a bold—and controversial—decision for a franchise that spent the fourth overall pick just two years ago on Richardson. But with the team now investing heavily in weapons like Alec Pierce and prioritizing immediate success, patience may no longer be a luxury they can afford.
Insiders have also indicated that internal tension may be building within the organization over Richardson’s development path. While head coach Shane Steichen has remained publicly supportive, sources claim that some in the front office have lost confidence in Richardson’s ability to become the long-term answer under center.
Adding fuel to the fire, Colts owner Jim Irsay recently made cryptic comments in a local radio interview, saying, “Sometimes the window is smaller than we think. You either make the move or you miss your chance.”
If Indianapolis does indeed decide to part ways with Richardson, the move could come as soon as this season’s trade deadline or during next offseason’s draft. Either way, the writing may already be on the wall.
For now, Richardson remains the starter heading into training camp, but the pressure is suffocating. Every throw, every read, every decision he makes this preseason could determine not just his future with the Colts—but possibly the trajectory of the entire franchise.
With high stakes and whispers growing louder, the Colts’ quarterback situation just became the most compelling storyline to watch in the AFC.