The Indianapolis Colts are dealing with another off-field headache as quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. faces a misdemeanor charge for alleged marijuana possession. The charge, filed on Oct. 19, stems from a traffic stop where police discovered THC-infused gummies in his vehicle.
According to FOX59, officers pulled over Richardson and noticed a smell of marijuana. When questioned, Richardson reportedly admitted to smoking in the car to avoid doing so in front of his children. He told police he had a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. After he was handcuffed, a search turned up a mason jar with a substance believed to be marijuana and an opened bag of THC gummies.
Richardson now has a bench trial scheduled for Jan. 4, 2027. This legal issue adds to a turbulent season for the Colts, who just fired general manager Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start. Ballard was the one who drafted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, a decision that has yet to pay off.
Since entering the NFL, Richardson has thrown for just 2,400 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His accuracy has been a constant struggle, and injuries have kept him off the field more often than not. The Colts' offense has sputtered, and with the season slipping away, there's a real chance Richardson gets another shot under center later this year.
This isn't the first time a young quarterback has found himself in legal trouble. The Colts are also reportedly eyeing a familiar face for a front office role, which could signal a shift in how they handle player conduct. Meanwhile, other teams have dealt with similar issues, like the recent arrest of Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart on a DUII charge, highlighting a broader pattern of off-field incidents across the league.
For Richardson, the focus now is on clearing his name and getting back to football. But with the Colts struggling and the coaching staff desperate to turn things around, his future in Indianapolis is far from certain. The team may be forced to give him more playing time out of necessity, even as questions about his reliability continue to mount.
As the legal process unfolds, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this affects Richardson's career and the Colts' plans. For now, the young quarterback has a court date to prepare for, and a season to try and salvage.
