Waste of a No. 4 Pick? Anthony Richardson Charged with Marijuana Possession as Career Hits New Low

CARMEL, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has been officially charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Hamilton County, Indiana, marking another troubling chapter in what has quickly become a derailed NFL career.

According to court filings, the charge stems from an October 12 traffic stop in Carmel, where police officers pulled over Richardson’s Dodge Charger due to an expired registration tag that did not match the vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers reported a strong odor of marijuana. Richardson acknowledged smoking inside the car, telling police he did so to avoid smoking around his children. A subsequent search of the glove compartment revealed a small Mason jar containing leafy green marijuana alongside a bag of THC gummies. Richardson received citations for the vehicle registration violations, was issued a summons for drug possession, and has a bench trial scheduled for January 4 after waiving his initial hearing.

“We are aware of the situation involving Anthony Richardson and are currently gathering additional information,” the Colts stated in an official release. “We will have no further comment at this time.” Richardson’s attorney, James Voyles, also declined to comment on the pending case.

Unfulfilled Potential and a Tumultuous Timeline

When the Colts selected Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, his ceiling appeared sky-high. Boasting a 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame and a 4.43 40-yard dash, Richardson secured a four-year, $33.99 million fully guaranteed rookie contract to serve as the franchise’s long-term answer at quarterback.

Instead, his trajectory has been bogged down by severe injuries, mechanical inconsistency, and a loss of coaching confidence. After a promising rookie campaign was truncated by season-ending shoulder surgery, Richardson lost his starting position to veteran Daniel Jones in 2025. Richardson has not logged a single regular-season snap since October 5, 2025. Across 15 career starts, he holds a meager 50.6% completion rate with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Closing Windows in Indianapolis

This legal trouble arrives at an extraordinarily fragile moment for the organization. Sitting at 2-4 in 2026, Indianapolis recently dismissed general manager Chris Ballard, leaving interim GM Ed Dodds and head coach Shane Steichen to evaluate every corner of the roster.

Starting quarterback Daniel Jones has struggled mightily this season, throwing just four touchdowns against six interceptions with a 59.6% completion mark through six starts. Under ordinary circumstances, Jones’ poor play would have created an avenue for Richardson to push for playing time ahead of rookie third-stringer Riley Leonard. Instead, this off-field incident further damages Richardson’s standing in the locker room and leaves front office executives questioning whether he possesses the professional discipline required to lead a team.

Was Richardson a Draft Bust, and What Comes Next?

At just 24 years old, Richardson is rapidly trending toward one of the most disappointing draft picks in modern franchise history. What was intended to be a generational dual-threat cornerstone has devolved into a $34 million bench rider facing legal hurdles.

With his contract guaranteed through 2027, the Colts front office faces a difficult fork in the road: seek potential trade partners to salvage minimal asset value, await league discipline under the NFL Personal Conduct Policy, or waive him outright to clear roster space. For a player once celebrated as the future of football in Indianapolis, the path back to a starting job in the NFL has never looked more out of reach.