5 hypothetical trade packages for Anthony Richardson with NFL teams wondering if the Colts are ready to move on from the QB
Lets take a look at what the Colts could get in return if they choose to trade Anthony Richardson
The Indianapolis Colts’ decision to name Daniel Jones their starting QB for the 2025 season over Anthony Richardson has led many to question if this marriage can continue long-term.
Richardson’s agent sharing with Stephen Holder of ESPN that the trust between Richardson and the team is an issue only adds fuel to that. At this time, Richardson hasn’t requested a trade, and the Colts have continued to say they are not giving up on him. Some teams around the league struggle to see how things could possibly turn around in Indianapolis.
Many believe he needs a new scenery after being benched for the second time in less than a year. So, just in case things take a turn and the Colts do look to move on from the QB, five of my colleagues at A to Z Sports took control of teams across the NFL and sent me offers trying to acquire Richardson.
Below, you can review each offer that was submitted and stay until the end to see which offer I believe the Colts would accept from this group.
5 hypothetical trade offers for Anthony Richardson
The Packers try to repeat one of their recent successful trades
Trade Offer
Packers send: LB Isaiah Simmons and a 2026 fifth-round pick
Colts send: QB Anthony Richardson and a 2026 seventh-round pick
Brian Gutekunst and Chris Ballard tend to like similar types of players — athletic, strong pieces. So, there’s a natural overlap of players they look for. The big difference is that the Packers have a better quarterback-developing coach in Matt LaFleur, and they would have the patience and time to develop Richardson behind Jordan Love, just as they did with Malik Willis. Because Willis is in a contract year, Green Bay would be smart to jump ahead and get a longer-term backup with high upside.
Last year, the Packers gave up a seventh-round pick for Willis, but Richardson was a top pick and has a higher ceiling, so it’s reasonable to pay more. Isaiah Simmons is a useful special teamer, but he hasn’t been a productive defender, and since he had contact with the Colts in the offseason, he could be an enticing piece to throw in, while keeping Kristian Welch as linebacker depth. – Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira
The Steelers look to add Anthony Richardson as Aaron Rodgers’ potential future successor
Trade Offer
Steelers send: S Sebastian Castro and a 2026 sixth-round pick
Colts send: QB Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson in the Black and Gold, huh? It’s not as far-fetched as you might think. The Steelers will be in the QB market in 2026 (yes, again), likely for a younger player whom they can build around. The draft is enticing, but the Steelers under Mike Tomlin are known for reclamation projects, and Richardson is everything they covet from a quarterback.
Big, athletic, live arm, and still young. I’m not saying it makes a ton of sense. What I am saying is that it would be on-brand for the Steelers. They love low-risk, high-reward ventures, and in our proposal of a 2026 sixth-rounder and safety Sebastian Castro for Richardson, they would achieve just that. – Steelers beat writer Rob Gregson
Cardinals join the party as a shocking potential landing spot for Anthony Richardson
Trade Offer
Cardinals send: S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, 2026 fourth-round and 2027 conditional fourth-round picks
Colts send: QB Anthony Richardson
Arizona has quarterback Kyler Murray under contract, but the situation behind him features Jacoby Brissett and Clayton Tune. Richardson could be an attractive dice roll for Arizona as a team that loves to play in heavy personnel, aspires to run the ball with physicality, and is accustomed to leaning on the run game elements with the quarterback position.
Because of the commitment to Murray, Arizona likely offers a calculated deal to Indianapolis, but it is one that could be justified for the potential long-term development if Murray hits a glass ceiling down the road in this offense. – NFL analyst Kyle Crabbs
Sean McVay and the Rams look to develop Anthony Richardson behind Matthew Stafford for a year or two
Trade Offer
Rams send: 2026 fifth-round, sixth-round, and seventh-round picks
Colts send: QB Anthony Richardson
For the first time in many years, the Rams actually have significant capital to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft, owning 10 selections. Three draft picks seem like a hefty price at a glance, but not only are they late picks, but Los Angeles also has other selections in each of those rounds.
The Rams’ top priority moving forward is finding a successor for 37-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford. Why not take a flyer on Richardson? The former 2023 No. 4 overall pick is still just 23 years old, has a huge arm, and is dangerous running the ball. Being the understudy to a potential future Hall of Famer in Stafford, as well as learning from one of the best offensive mastermind coaches in the NFL in Sean McVay, would be a golden opportunity for Richardson.” – NFL analyst Nick Roesch
Vikings look to add Anthony Richardson as potential competition for J.J. McCarthy
Trade Offer
Vikings send: 2027 conditional fourth-round pick that can turn into a second via play time incentives
Colts send: QB Anthony Richardson and a 2027 seventh-round pick
All aboard the latest quarterback to check into Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback rehab. The Colts’ current starter, Daniel Jones, was there last year, and Sam Darnold just got himself a big contract with the Seattle Seahawks after a tremendous season. Getting Richardson would be a huge coup for the Vikings, and it’s a player they’ve targeted heavily.
The Vikings had a major trade offer with the Cardinals ahead of him being selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they didn’t want to go down that far. That offer was multiple first and second-round picks, and this will be a bit cheaper.
What do the Vikings get out of this? The endgame would be the potential for a compensatory selection while investing in the league’s most important position. Richardson can work with O’Connell, OC Wes Phillips, and QB coach Josh McCown on perfecting his craft, and he can be a short-yardage weapon as the backup. Plus, once his contract is up, the Vikings can potentially get a compensatory pick back for him.
The Colts will likely receive better trade offers than the Vikings’, but perhaps not. We’ve all seen the embrace between Richardson and O’Connell at the end of their matchup in 2024, and it could come to fruition here. – Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness
The Colts send Richardson to the NFC to a spot that gives him the best chance to succeed long term
Accepted Offer: Rams
Rams get: QB Anthony Richardson
Colts get: 2026 fifth-round, sixth-round, and seventh-round picks
Going through and reading all five of these offers will make you realize why the Colts probably aren’t in a rush to trade Richardson. His value feels like it has probably hit rock bottom, and if the Colts move on from him now, they will have to live with a lackluster return.
In terms of accepting one of these deals, it came down to three teams: the Los Angeles Rams, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Arizona Cardinals. I have a feeling the Cardinals wouldn’t be an ideal spot for Richardson and his team, who I think would hold a bit more power in his potential landing spot than some may think. The other two spots, though, are arguably the top two fits to help revive Richardson’s career, thanks to having respected offensive minds as their head coaches in McVay and O’Connell.
The Vikings’ offer, which had conditions to make the pick a second in 2027, was enticing, but the odds of playing time conditions being hit with McCarthy were just too low. On top of that, the Colts would have to wait till 2027 to net the pick.
The Rams sending three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft would offer the Colts more capital they could use to improve their roster or in a potential trade up for a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft. Richardson could then sit behind Stafford for a year or two and learn from one of the greatest in the business, gaining valuable insights on and off the field. I still don’t think the Colts will trade Richardson at this time, but if a formal trade request from Richardson and his team comes out ahead of the season, things would likely change quickly.
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