Anthony Richardson, just 23, could become a hot trade target as the Colts move on after choosing veteran Daniel Jones.
The Indianapolis Colts stunned few when they handed the Week 1 nod to Daniel Jones instead of Anthony Richardson, and that decision has thrust Richardson onto the trade radar. After a training camp in which he failed to secure the starting job, the young quarterback faces an uncertain future in Indianapolis. The club’s move signals they prefer immediate stability, but it also opens the door for teams hunting for upside to pounce.
Richardson’s NFL story so far reads like a classic boom-or-bust prospect: flashes of freakish physical talent, interrupted progress by injury, and pockets of inconsistency under center. He delivered tantalizing plays that remind evaluators why teams drafted him, but injury setbacks and erratic play stalled his development. At 23 years old, however, he still qualifies as a developmental asset worth a gamble for clubs willing to invest time and coaching.
Names have circulated around the league, and four franchises stand out as realistic suitors: the New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Each club carries its own quarterback question marks and each could see Richardson as a low-cost swing at a high-upside future starter. The logic differs by team, but the undercurrent stays the same — grab a young arm while you can.
The Steelers make immediate sense. Pittsburgh cruised into 2025 with veteran Aaron Rodgers leading the offense for the season, but Rodgers’ future beyond next year looks cloudy. At 41, he may not plan a long-term stay, and the Steelers need a plan B that actually fits the long game. Richardson offers traits Pittsburgh can refine behind Rodgers, letting him learn without the pressure of carrying the franchise right away.
The Raiders also fit the profile of a team that could swing a deal. Las Vegas currently runs with Geno Smith, a proven veteran, but Smith’s track record doesn’t guarantee he will lift the franchise to the next level. Raiders’ decision-makers might prefer to stash a prospect with elite arm strength and athleticism, then groom him into the starter who can take the offense beyond a one-year window.
New Orleans and Cleveland round out the list for different reasons. The Saints have a history of finding diamonds in the rough and could view Richardson as a project with upside behind a steady offense. The Browns, meanwhile, juggle roster pieces and could see value in adding a young quarterback who brings physical traits you can’t teach. Neither club needs an overnight miracle; both can afford the patience required to polish a raw prospect.
A trade for Richardson would carry low immediate cost and high potential reward, which is why teams with uncertain quarterback futures will kick the tires. For the Colts, moving on gives them clarity now and possibly net assets later. For any acquiring club, the calculus revolves around coaching fit, developmental timeline and the willingness to let a young player resurrect his trajectory away from the glare of a franchise that has already moved on.
Richardson himself faces a pivotal crossroads. He can embrace the reset: commit to rehab and mechanics, absorb coaching, and take reps in a calmer environment. At 23, he still has time to rebuild confidence and polish decision-making. The right landing spot could transform his narrative from a stalled prospect into a late-blooming starter.
Ultimately, this saga will attract teams willing to bet on upside rather than immediate returns. The Steelers and Raiders represent the clearest fits, given their present gaps at quarterback, but the Saints and Browns also make strategic sense. Expect the market to test Richardson’s price in the coming weeks as teams weigh a potentially high-reward, low-risk move that could reshape several franchises’ quarterback plans.
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