The Indianapolis Colts and former top-five pick Anthony Richardson are likely approaching their final days together, as the quarterback requested a trade earlier in the offseason and recently skipped the beginning of the team’s offseason program. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise after Indianapolis extended Daniel Jones, but it just makes the coming divorce all the more inevitable. Richardson did not live up to his draft capital, as the Florida product missed significant chunks of time to injury and didn’t look all that effective when on the field.
While his career got off to a bad start, nobody can deny his natural talent. The 6′-4″, 244-pound quarterback runs like a battering ram and has the arm strength to reach any part of the field at any given moment. The biggest problem with him is consistency, as he has yet to put it all together. The Colts won’t come close to getting a first-round pick for his services, but the following three teams could trade a late-round pick and see if they can bring out the best in Anthony Richardson.
3 Teams That Could Trade For Anthony Richardson
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams need a backup quarterback, especially since veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is openly contemplating retirement. Matthew Stafford is at the top of his game, but the reigning MVP is entering his age-38 season and can’t possibly do this forever. Head coach Sean McVay runs one of the most quarterback-friendly offensive schemes in the league, and Los Angeles has routinely committed to surrounding their quarterback with plenty of quality receiving options. Perhaps spending a year or two on the bench could help Richardson reach his ceiling and develop into this team’s heir to Stafford.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers has yet to announce whether or not he’ll play next year, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll make up his mind any time soon. If Rodgers calls it a career, the Steelers will have no choice but to watch as Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard battle it out for starting duties. Even if Rodgers returns, the four-time MVP is a shell of his former self and is only a year-to-year option at this stage in his career. Anthony Richardson might not be Pittsburgh’s long-term answer, but it can’t hurt to trade for him and see if he can unlock his natural talent in a new environment.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have the league’s most depressing quarterback room in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. While both veterans are capable of starting for short periods of time, neither one carries any meaningful upside. Anthony Richardson is a remarkably unpolished passer, but his upside is through the roof. If the Cardinals pass on prospects like Ty Simpson and Will Howard, they should consider an Anthony Richardson trade. Brissett can ensure there’s some level of competence under center, but Richardson can give this team at least some hope of seeing high-level play.
