Packers connected to talented quarterback who could help replicate a successful roster-building strategy
Anthony Richardson could land in Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers have lost backup quarterback Malik Willis, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. Soon, there could be a new talented but raw quarterback in town for Matt LaFleur to develop behind Jordan Love.
According to Stephen Holder, who covers the Indianapolis Colts for ESPN, the Packers are a team to monitor for Anthony Richardson, who’s available for trade after losing the starting job last season to Daniel Jones.
It’s a model that has worked
If the Packers want to replicate what they did with Malik Willis, that’d be an intriguing scenario. In 2024, Green Bay sent a seventh-round pick to an AFC South team (the Tennessee Titans) and transformed Willis into one of the best backups in the league. Now that he left, the Packers are set to get a third- or fourth-round compensatory draft pick.
Anthony Richardson could become the next developmental guy — with potentially even more upside, albeit with more risk as well. Right now, the Packers only have Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord behind Jordan Love.
The Anthony Richardson experiment hasn’t worked out with the Colts for multiple reasons. Injuries have played a role, but he has also struggled to develop his mental side. Being traded to be a backup, as he would be in Green Bay, would likely help him focus on that role.
The con, though, is that he just hasn’t gotten nearly enough reps. He was already an inexperienced starter coming out of college, and he’s only started 15 games over the past three years. Backing up Love worked magic for Malik Willis, though, who just landed a sizable contract with the Miami Dolphins to be their starter.
Indy’s hope would be a fourth-round pick for the Colts, but with so many needs on defense, a player being involved wouldn’t be frowned upon either. One way or another, Richardson needs a fresh start, though, so a trade comes together even if teams don’t meet that level of trade package. The Packers didn’t have as much draft capital after trading two first-round picks for Micah Parsons and a 2027 sixth-rounder for Darian Kinnard, so the compensation would have to be limited.
Unsuccessful tenure in Indy
Richardson was the fourth overall pick back in 2023 and is entering the final year of his rookie deal — presuming that nobody would pick up his fifth-year option. Colts GM Chris Ballard picked him banking on his upside, but it hasn’t come to fruition.
Through 17 games (15 starts), Richardson has had 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, a 67.8 passer rating. But his rushing production is impressive — 634 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has a 5.9% big-time throw rate and a 4.5% turnover-worthy play rate.
The numbers aren’t good, but they are better than Willis had on the Titans. The downside is that Richardson is set to become a free agent next offseason, so there wouldn’t be that much time to develop him and to take advantage of his upside. Additionally, his 2026 salary is $5.385 million, more than what Willis made in his two combined years in Green Bay.
Right now, the Packers have Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord after Love on the QB depth chart. They are not desperate for a new option, but getting a player with a strong arm and impressive athletic ability would always entice Brian Gutekunst.
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