Sometimes in sports, a story doesn't end with a bang. No press conference, no dramatic falling-out, no blockbuster headline. Sometimes the story just... quietly concludes. Everybody knows it's over before anybody says it out loud.

That's where we are with Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts.

Sources tell ESPN that it is "increasingly likely" that Richardson will play elsewhere in 2026. A trade hasn't been formally requested yet - but the word being used by those closest to the situation is "inevitable."

Inevitable. That's a heavy word to hang around a 24-year-old quarterback who entered the league as one of the most physically gifted prospects in years.

Here's the story of what happened in Indianapolis, in brief. Richardson came in with the sky-high expectations that come with being a top-5 pick. The raw talent was undeniable - an arm that could drive the ball sixty yards on a rope, a frame and athleticism that reminded scouts of a certain other mobile quarterback who changed the sport. But the development curve was steep and rocky. Richardson lost a quarterback competition to Daniel Jones - Daniel Jones - in the 2025 preseason, which tells you everything you need to know about where the coaching staff's confidence stood.

Then came the orbital bone injury during the season - a freak accident that cast uncertainty over his recovery and his vision. As of now, the Colts are committed to Jones as their starter going forward, with sixth-round pick Riley Leonard viewed as the developmental backup.

There is simply no path for Richardson in Indianapolis. The bridge has been burned. The decision-makers have moved on. And for a player of his age and upside, sitting on a bench in a city that doesn't want him would be the worst possible outcome for everyone involved.

The trade market will be interesting. His age and draft pedigree still have value - we've seen recent comp picks returned for quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell, and Justin Fields when they've changed scenery. Richardson brings more physical upside than any of them.

Somewhere out there, there's a team that needs a young quarterback with a cannon arm and a story to write. Richardson needs a fresh start and a coaching staff that believes in him the way the Colts' staff never fully did.

The next chapter is coming. Indianapolis just won't be in it.