The 2026 NFL Draft is complete, with the Indianapolis Colts making 8 draft selections.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed before the draft that the Colts could trade quarterback Anthony Richardson and Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore during the three-day event. With the draft over, both Richardson and Moore remain members of the Colts.
General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen spoke to the media after the final round of the draft, giving an update on the pair.
There Was “Nothing” for Richardson or Moore
GettyKenny Moore has been a member of the Colts since the 2017 season
Before the 2026 NFL Draft, Chris Ballard revealed that teams contacted the Indianapolis Colts about Anthony Richardson, but speaking to reporters after the draft reveals that those talks didn’t cement in a trade.
“Nothing,” Ballard responded when asked about the trade talks for Richardson and Kenny Moore during the draft. “Nothing yet. No. Nothing yet.”
His response does reveal that there is still some interest for both players, but nothing truly came to fruition during the draft that would have dealt either player to a new team. It was reported earlier in the offseason that the Green Bay Packers were one of the teams interested in the quarterback, but did not pull the trigger on a deal.
Ballard did not shut the door on Richardson returning to the team before the draft, but things cannot be said for Moore. It was reported that if the Colts failed to find a trade partner for the former Pro Bowler, the team would likely release the defender.
If Indianapolis were to part ways with Moore or trade him, the team would create around $7 million in cap space, which can be used on some of the better remaining free agents.
Colts Did Not Look At Other QBs
GettyAnthony Richardson remains a member of the Indianapolis Colts roster
The Indianapolis Colts have their long-term quarterback in Daniel Jones after retaining the former Duke Blue Devil on a two-year, $88 million deal.
Riley Leonard will be the backup quarterback, or the starter if Jones is not 100% by the 2026 season opener. Needing some depth at the position, with Anthony Richardson on the trade block, it would have made sense if Indy addressed the position later in the draft.
Chris Ballard revealed that the team did not extensively look at quarterback prospects. This works in favor of Richardson, who could remain with the team he has familiarity with.
When Jones suffered a fractured leg and ACL tear, the Colts opted to bring Philip Rivers out of retirement instead of playing Leonard (Richardson was on injured reserve with a fractured orbital bone).
Signals reveal that the coaching staff and front office didn’t have much faith in Leonard to lead the team and would rather trust a player who was out of action for a few years. If Richardson wasn’t on IR, due to an accident, he would have likely earned his final opportunity to prove to the Colts that he was worth the first-round pick three years ago.
With the lack of adding a QB, Anthony Richardson appears poised to return to Indianapolis.
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