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Shane Steichen enters his fourth year with the Indianapolis Colts

After three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson requested a trade from the organization following Daniel Jones‘s emergence as the team’s future starter.

Richardson initially skipped the team’s voluntary OTAs before returning to the practice field and Indy also declined to exercise the quarterback’s fifth-year option, suggesting the Colts were willing to part ways with the former fourth-overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The former Florida Gator is now back with the squad on the practice field and preparing for the 2026 season with Indy. Now back with the team, head coach Shane Steichen reveals the plans for Richardson heading forward.

Shane Steichen Talks Quarterback Room

GettyAnthony Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

With offseason workouts starting, Anthony Richardson has the opporuntity to lock himself down as the backup quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.

Richardson knows head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s offense, which could put him as the front-runner for the job.

But when speaking to the media, Steichen talked about Richardson’s return to the team and things will be unfolding throughout the offseason workouts for the backup role.

“He’s back in the fold right now; that part’s been good. He’s working, going through his fundamentals, out there throwing with the guys,” Steichen said. “He’s here, he’s gonna get reps, just like [how Riley] Leonard will get reps.”

“Right now, we’re in May. We’ll see how it goes, obviously, with all that. He’s working. He’s here. He’s in good spirits.”

Those words aren’t the best for Richardson, as he wanted a trade elsewhere for the opportunity to start, or at least a guaranteed backup job. With Daniel Jones taking the starting role, if he’s 100% by the start of the 2026 season, Richardson will have to fight for the backup spot.

But in good spirits, according to Steichen, Anthony Richardson appears to be headed in the right direction in his career development.

Steichen Gives An Update on Anthony Richardson’s Eye Injury

GettyAnthony Richardson enters year 4 with the Indianapolis Colts

While the backup for the Indianapolis Colts last season, Anthony Richardson suffered an orbital fracture in a freak accident that forced the quarterback onto the injured reserve list.

If Richardson hadn’t suffered the eye injury, he would have had another opportunity to show that he was a starter in the NFL, as Jones suffered a fractured leg and a torn Achilles tendon, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Now, with the offseason to heal, Shane Steichen gave an update on Richardson’s injury, revealing that the quarterback has been cleared to play, calling it “good.”

“He’s been here for four days, but we’re just throwing [the ball] right now,” Steichen said. “We haven’t done team stuff… He’s getting into the fold right now, throwing again. He’s been working out in Florida… He came back in really good shape.”

Entering his fourth training camp as a professional, Anthony Richardson will be in another quarterback battle, but this time for the backup job instead of a starting role.