Indianapolis Colts Shock The NFL By Dealing QB Anthony Richardson To Rebuilding Team In Blockbuster Trade Proposal

Anthony Richardson (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts’ surprise decision to bench Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco has led to speculation that the No. 4 pick of 2023 will play elsewhere next year.

After a frustrating Week 8 performance against the Houston Texans, Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced that the Super Bowl 47 champion has taken over the starting QB duties from Anthony Richardson.

Steichen, GM Chris Ballard and owner Jim Irsay have received widespread criticism for benching Richardson. Because of injuries (he was limited to four last year), the Florida product has only appeared in 10 NFL games thus far.

Obviously, Richardson can’t improve as a quarterback if he doesn’t get the playing time and experience. So regardless of what the Colts say about Richardson and Flacco, it’s clear that Indy’s confidence in the former has waned.

Of Anthony Richardson’s 22 incompletions yesterday, I counted 7 bad throws

Hit the receiver in the hands on 8 of those 22
Hit as he was throwing on 6
With a couple of “wtf was that route” thrown in there

Not sold on him being the future, but it’s too early to say he’s a bust. pic.twitter.com/Atu1dCaamq

— Eli (@degenEli) October 28, 2024

That said, there would be considerable interest in Anthony Richardson if he hit the trade block. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are golden examples of an underachieving QB just needing the right change of scenery to hit their ceiling.

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If Richardson is available, the Las Vegas Raiders should place a phone call for the 22-year-old. Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell aren’t long-term solutions, but Richardson could be the answer if the Raiders commit to him and supply him with the proper playmakers.

Richardson would have rising star tight end Brock Bowers and an underrated wideout in Jakobi Meyers. And with the Raiders likely to finish with a top-five pick, they could draft another weapon like Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan.

Additionally, new Raiders minority owner Tom Brady would surely be happy to help recruit Richardson to Sin City.

What Raiders Should Offer Colts For Anthony Richardson

Because Richardson was drafted fourth overall a year ago, the Raiders would have to pay a pretty penny to land him. So one of Vegas’ 2025 third-round picks (they’ll either get a second or third-rounder from the New York Jets in the Davante Adams trade) and a conditional 2026 third-rounder (that can become a second depending on playing time) would be a fair price for Richardson.

And if you’re the Colts, you can restart at QB by taking one of the top signal-callers in the 2025 NFL Draft.