More than two months have passed since Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts mutually agreed the quarterback could seek a trade, but the 2026 NFL Draft came and went with no reported rumblings and the former No. 4-overall pick is still employed as Daniel Jones’ backup.
In March, the Colts gave Jones a monster two-year contract extension, and there’s little chance Richardson is still on the roster when the new season kicks off in September. The Colts declined Richardson’s fifth-year option on Thursday and will continue searching for a trade partner ahead of training camp.
The Colts will likely have to eat some of Richardson’s salary to find one. How do we know this? Well, history tells us that after three seasons, quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 are either starters or they get traded for late-round picks. Richardson’s fate will be the latter, but $5.5 million is a lot of money to pay a backup quarterback who might be QB3 on some rosters. That means Indianapolis will likely have to pay at least some of his salary to entice a deal.
The Colts are left with the fact that, by using their 2023 No. 4-overall pick on a player with off-the-charts physical tools but minimal experience or production, they took a big gamble … and lost. Richardson could ultimately resuscitate his career, of course. It just won’t happen in Indianapolis.
What’s Next for Anthony Richardson? Colts Trade Possibilities, Historical Comparisons, Landing Spots
Recent First-Round QB Trade Comparisons
Zach Wilson
Drafted: No. 2 overall in 2021 by the Jets
Traded: Jets sent Wilson and a 7th-round pick to the Broncos for a 6th rounder in 2024
In three years with the Jets, Wilson failed to establish himself as a consistent starter and was dealt to Denver. The quarterback was still owed $5.5 million and the Jets split the cost with the Broncos, agreeing to pay $2.75 million of his salary.
Wilson and Richardson have similar career stats. They include completion percentage (Wilson 57%; Richardson 51%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (Wilson 23 TDs, 25 INTs; Richardson 11 TDs, 13 INTs), and passer rating (Wilson 73.1; Richardson 67.8).
Wilson never played a down for Denver and was released. He joined the Dolphins as a free agent last season and appeared in a handful of games as a backup. This offseason he signed with the Saints.
Justin Fields
Drafted: No. 11 overall in 2021 by the Bears
Traded: Bears sent Fields to the Steelers for a 6th-round pick in 2024
The Fields trade was wild for a couple of reasons. For one, other teams knew the Bears had to deal with him because they’d already committed to drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. It sank Fields’ value. Second, in Fields, the Bears had one of the best rushing quarterbacks in NFL history. Unfortunately, his arm hasn’t been nearly as good.
Fields ended up starting the first six games in Pittsburgh, going 4-2 before getting benched for Russell Wilson. After the season he left for the Jets in free agency, where he signed a two-year, $40 million contract. Fields was benched by the Jets in November. He had a stint on IR. Ultimately he was dealt to the Chiefs in March for a 7th-round pick.
Trey Lance
Drafted: No. 3 overall in 2021 by the 49ers
Traded: 49ers sent Lance to the Cowboys for a 4th-round pick
Lance started his career as a backup to Jimmy Garoppolo. He was named a starter for Year 2, but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the second game. When he returned for Year 3, he lost the quarterback competition to Brock Purdy. He was traded to Dallas, where he’s seen only mop-up action behind Dak Prescott.
Sam Darnold (Best-Case Arc)
Drafted: No. 3 overall in 2018 by the Jets
Traded: Multiple-team journeyman before career resurgence
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 who saw ghosts with the Jets early in his career, bounced around to five total teams. Most recently (***checks notes***) he WON THE SUPER BOWL as the Seahawks starter.
Josh Rosen (Cautionary Outcome)
Drafted: No. 10 overall in 2018 by the Cardinals
Traded: To the Dolphins for a 2nd-round pick after one season
Rosen is the clearest warning sign among these quarterbacks. After a brief and difficult rookie season, he was moved quickly. Rosen spent the remainder of his career cycling through backup roles without securing another starting opportunity.
Richardson landing spots
If the Colts ultimately move Richardson, potential landing spots depend more on opportunity than draft capital. Teams with unstable quarterback depth charts or aging starters could view him as a low-cost upside gamble.
Possible fits include:
- Jets – New York, mentioned in many of the scenarios above, is perennially in search of a quarterback. Why miss out on another project?
- Dolphins – They’re rebuilding and want to hit on a quarterback in next year’s loaded draft. But why not roll the dice on a Florida guy for low risk?
- Packers – With last year’s backup Malik Willis now in Miami, the Packers have Desmond Ridder behind Jordan Love. Richardson could be a worthwhile gamble.
- Steelers – Pittsburgh’s current quarterback room? Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers still deciding. Seems like a room that could use a shake-up.
Bottom Line
Richardson’s situation is familiar: a high-draft pick with elite traits, uneven development, and a franchise that has already begun pivoting toward a more reliable option.
For the Colts, getting a Day 3 draft pick in return means the gamble is already lost. For Richardson, the next stop will almost certainly define whether he becomes a cautionary tale — or a late-blooming exception.
