5 NFL Teams that Should Trade for Anthony Richardson
With the news hitting the wire on Tuesday that Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen has tabbed former Giants QB Daniel Jones as the Week 1 starter, the future looks suddenly murky for 2023 4th Overall Pick Anthony Richardson.
Coming out of Florida, Richardson was tabbed as a high-upside quarterback prospect with elite athleticism and raw potential. His dual-threat ability—powerful running and a strong arm—made him a wildcard worth betting on, which the Colts did.
He was always going to need time and reps to develop his game as a complete NFL Quarterback. He came into the league younger and more inexperienced than virtually any QB prospect ever. Unfortunately, a combination of injuries, controversy, and poor play have limited his starts to 15 total heading into his 3rd year. Shane Steichen doesn’t have the job security to experiment anymore, and that, combined with Daniel Jones’ arrival and game-management experience forced Steichen’s hand. While controversial and short-sighted, it is an understandable decision.
Richardson is still only 23 years old with only 15 NFL starts under his belt and all of that raw talent and upside, Richardson should absolutely be on the radar for several NFL squads with significant question marks at QB.
1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints are clearly the team that should deal for Richardson. New HC Kellen Moore had to settle for drafting Tyler Shough in the 2nd Rd of the 2025 NFL Draft to compete with 2nd year project Spencer Rattler. As a 1st-year head coach, Moore likely has some leeway to let Richardson play this year and see what he can do without it affecting his job status. You can still draft a 1st Rd QB in 2026 to compete with him. But Richardson needs starting snaps. The Saints can give those to him.
2. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
In Las Vegas, Peter Carroll’s can leverage the high respect of a Super Bowl-winning Head Coach and his previous experience with mobile quarterbacks (Russell Wilson) to encourage the team to make a splashy move for a QB of the future. Geno Smith is excellent, but he’s already 31, and his contract is extremely manageable, allowing the team to move on as early as next season if they want to. There would be no pressure on Richardson, and he’d get a chance to develop in a great environment and with young playmakers around him.
3. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Mike Tomlin is in absolutely no danger of losing his job. The team also has an unquestioned veteran starter in Aaron Rodgers and quality QB2 in Mason Rudolph. Richardson would enter a zero-pressure atmosphere of learning and development, with a chance to compete in 2026 with a Rookie 1st Round pick and Rudolph, giving the Steelers options to work with and a chance to uncover a gem!
4. NEW YORK JETS
Another 1st year head coach in Aaron Glenn should have enough goodwill with ownership and to bring in Richardson behind a very similar player in Justin Fields and give him time to develop without the pressure of losing his job if it doesn’t work out.
5. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Does any one of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel prevent you from adding Richardson’s upside to your QB room? Absolutely not! Until you have the franchise QB, you keep swinging for one. Stefanski’s job security is tenuous, but adding Richardson would track with the organization’s thought process at the position this season.
For more NFL analysis from Jeremy Betz, click HERE.