Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A misdemeanor marijuana possession charge was filed against Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson on Oct 19.
The 2023 No. 4 pick faces a January bench trial.
Background
Anthony Richardson Sr. is the Indianapolis Colts quarterback and was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida, drafted with just one year of starting experience. He has missed significant time to injuries each season, lost the starting job to Daniel Jones entering 2025, and the Colts declined his fifth-year option, so he is headed for free agency. The charge was filed in Carmel, Indiana, days after a traffic stop in which an officer pulled over a black 2023 Dodge Charger with expired registration belonging to a different vehicle.
How it unfolded
- 2023The Colts drafted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick after one year of starting experience at Florida.
- 2025Richardson lost the starting job to Daniel Jones entering the regular season and missed 12 games with a dislocated finger and a broken orbital bone.
- 2026 offseasonThe Colts allowed Richardson to seek a trade, but no suitors emerged and he stayed in Indianapolis.
- Oct 12, 2026A Carmel officer pulled over a black 2023 Dodge Charger near Springmill Boulevard and Silver Stream Drive; the registration was expired and belonged to a different vehicle.
- Oct 19, 2026A misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against Richardson was filed in Carmel.
- Oct 21, 2026Richardson reflected on Ballard in comments to the media.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said the decision to fire general manager Chris Ballard "could not wait until the offseason."
- Party
- Richardson allegedly told the officer he had smoked in the vehicle so he wouldn't smoke in front of his children and that he had a small amount of marijuana with him.
- Caution
- An ESPN report said Indianapolis is unlikely to turn to Richardson over Daniel Jones.
Still unverified
An ESPN report said Indianapolis is unlikely to turn to Richardson over Daniel Jones; ESPN also reported a fire sale could be on the table for the Colts. The Colts had not responded to FOX59/CBS4's request for comment when its story was published.