Anthony Richardson: Bio, Career, Stats, Awards & 2026 Season

Anthony Richardson is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He entered the NFL in 2023 after playing college football at the University of Florida.

The Colts selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Known for his size, speed and ability to make plays with his legs, he quickly became an important part of Indianapolis’ quarterback plans.

Richardson’s early NFL career has included strong rushing performances, injuries and changes in his role with the Colts. In 2026, Indianapolis declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making the 2026 season an important part of his NFL career.

Anthony Richardson Information

Career of Anthony Richardson

Career Total

History of Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson entered the NFL in 2023 after playing three seasons of college football at the University of Florida. The Indianapolis Colts selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson started his NFL career as the Colts’ starting quarterback. He played four games as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his 2023 season.

He returned in 2024 and started 11 games. During that season, he showed his ability as both a passer and runner, including two late-game wins against the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

In 2025, Richardson began the season as the Colts’ backup after Indianapolis named Daniel Jones the starting quarterback. Richardson appeared in two games before an injury led to a move to injured reserve.

In 2026, the Colts declined the fifth-year option on Richardson’s rookie contract. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season.

Early Life

Anthony Richardson was born on May 22, 2002, in Miami, Florida. He later moved to Gainesville, where he attended high school and began developing as a quarterback.

Richardson played football at Eastside High School in Gainesville. He became known for his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs.

During his high school career, Richardson passed for 4,633 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,633 yards and scored 41 rushing touchdowns.

His high school career helped him earn an opportunity to play at the University of Florida.

College / Youth Career

Richardson played college football for the Florida Gators from 2020 through 2022.

He saw limited action as a freshman in 2020. In 2021, he continued to develop while playing behind Emory Jones. Richardson had a breakout performance against LSU that season, throwing for 167 yards and three touchdowns while also scoring on the ground.

He became Florida’s starting quarterback in 2022.

That season included a major early win over seventh-ranked Utah. Richardson also had a standout performance against Tennessee, throwing for 453 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns.

Richardson finished the 2022 season with 2,549 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns.

After the season, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Professional Career

The Indianapolis Colts selected Richardson fourth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He was named the Colts’ starting quarterback before the 2023 season. Richardson made his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars and recorded both a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.

He also made an early impact against the Houston Texans, scoring two rushing touchdowns before leaving the game with a concussion.

Richardson returned the following week and produced three total touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams. His rookie season, however, ended after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Tennessee Titans. He later underwent surgery.

Richardson returned to the starting lineup in 2024. He missed two games with an oblique injury and was briefly replaced by Joe Flacco. The Colts later returned Richardson to the starting role.

He finished the 2024 season with 1,814 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 499 yards and six touchdowns.

In 2025, Richardson became the backup after Daniel Jones was named the Colts’ starter. Richardson played in two games before being placed on injured reserve after suffering an orbital bone fracture around his eye during pregame warmups.

Current Club

Anthony Richardson remains with the Indianapolis Colts for the 2026 season.

A key development came on April 30, 2026, when the Colts declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That means Richardson is set to reach free agency after the 2026 season.

His role with Indianapolis has changed since he entered the NFL. He began his career as the team’s starting quarterback, later spent part of 2025 as a backup, and entered 2026 with his long-term future in Indianapolis still to be decided.

Richardson’s ability as a runner remains an important part of his game. Through the 2025 season, he had 634 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career.

Career Statistics

Player Honours & Awards

Playing Style / Role

Position

Anthony Richardson plays quarterback. His main job is to lead the offense, throw the ball and make plays with his legs when there is room to run.

Strengths

Richardson’s biggest strengths are his size, speed and athletic ability. At 6 feet 4 inches and 244 pounds, he has the size to handle contact. He is also a strong runner for a quarterback.

His speed gives him another way to move the offense when a passing play breaks down. During his college and NFL career, he has shown that he can create plays both through the air and on the ground.

Playing Role

Richardson’s playing role is built around his ability to make plays in different ways. He can attack defenses with his arm, but he can also use his running ability to gain important yards.

His rushing ability is a key part of his game. Through the 2025 NFL season, he had 634 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career.

Key Abilities

• Strong running ability for a quarterback
• Good size and physical strength
• Ability to make plays outside the pocket
• Can contribute as both a passer and runner
• Strong athletic ability and speed

Role with the Colts

Richardson joined the Indianapolis Colts as the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and was named the team’s starting quarterback before his rookie season.

His role has changed during his first few NFL seasons. He started games in 2023 and 2024, while he began the 2025 season as a backup.

For the Colts, Richardson’s value comes from his ability to add a running threat at quarterback while also developing as a passer.

Major Career Moments

First Professional Game

Anthony Richardson made his NFL debut for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw his first NFL touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr. and also scored a rushing touchdown in the game.

First Major NFL Impact

Richardson made an early impact in his second NFL game against the Houston Texans. He scored two rushing touchdowns before leaving the game with a concussion.

He returned the following week against the Los Angeles Rams and recorded two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

Breakout College Season

Richardson’s biggest college season came in 2022 with the Florida Gators. He started all 12 games and finished with 2,549 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He also ran for 654 yards and nine touchdowns. His performance helped make him a top quarterback prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Career Milestone

The Indianapolis Colts selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He became the team’s starting quarterback before his rookie season.

His selection marked the start of his professional NFL career and made him one of the highest-drafted quarterbacks from the 2023 class.

Important NFL Performance

One of Richardson’s notable NFL performances came in Week 11 of the 2024 season against the New York Jets. He completed 67% of his passes for a career-high 272 yards and one touchdown. He also scored two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winning score late in the game.

Another important moment came against the New England Patriots in Week 13. Richardson helped lead a 19-play, 80-yard touchdown drive before adding a go-ahead two-point conversion with less than 15 seconds remaining.

2026 Career Update

On April 30, 2026, the Colts declined the fifth-year option on Richardson’s rookie contract. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season.

This became an important point in Richardson’s NFL career as he entered 2026 with his long-term future with Indianapolis still open.

Current Team & 2026 Season

2026 Season

Anthony Richardson is with the Indianapolis Colts for the 2026 NFL season. He remains listed as a quarterback and wears No. 5.

Current Team

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has been part of the team’s quarterback group since entering the NFL.

Current Position

Quarterback

Richardson’s role is to play quarterback and help lead the Colts’ offense through passing and running plays.

Current Jersey Number

No. 5

Richardson wears No. 5 for the Colts.

2026 Contract Update

A major update for Richardson came on April 30, 2026. The Colts declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

As a result, Richardson is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season.

2026 Statistics

The available profile data covers Richardson’s NFL statistics through the 2025 season. It does not include a full 2026 season statistics update.

His career totals through 2025 were 2,400 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 634 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Current Role

Richardson’s main position with the Colts is quarterback. His ability to run with the football is also an important part of his game.

The 2026 season is an important stage in his career because his current rookie contract is set to end after the season.

Player Social & Official Links