Colts Will Start Anthony Richardson In Preseason Opener, Riley Leonard In Second Preseason Game

Per Ben Volin, Colts HC Shane Steichen said QB Anthony Richardson will start the team’s preseason opener on Thursday against the Patriots.

Richardson will get the first half in the preseason opener while QB Riley Leonard will play the second half, according to Joel A. Erickson. In their second preseason game against the Falcons, Leonard will start and Richardson will get the second half. 

Ian Rapoport reported earlier this offseason that there are “real concerns” about Richardson’s ability to see, and said it seems likely he’s played his last down with the team.

The Colts claim they’re fine keeping three quarterbacks on the final roster and don’t want to give Richardson away, although they’ve been working with him to grant his trade request this offseason.

Richardson, 24, declared for the draft following his redshirt sophomore season in 2022 and his first as a full-time starter at Florida. The Colts selected him with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

He signed a four-year, $36,874,031 contract with a $23,817,477 signing bonus and is now set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Richardson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery to repair his AC joint after going down in Week 5 of his rookie year. He then missed significant time in 2025 due to an eye injury.

In 2025, Richardson appeared in two games and completed one of his two pass attempts for nine yards.

Leonard, 23, was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Colts out of Notre Dame. He signed a four-year, $4,435,244 rookie deal through 2028 and is making a base salary of $840k in 2025. 

In 2025, Leonard appeared in five games for the Colts with one start and completed 39 of 67 passes for 415 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 27 yards and two touchdowns. 

We’ll have more on Richardson and the Colts’ QB situation as the news becomes available.