During the preseason, the Indianapolis Colts need to decide how to maximize Anthony Richardson’s potential. At this point, they don’t expect him to compete for the starting quarterback job. During the offseason, the Colts decided to make a long-term commitment to Daniel Jones with a two-year, $88 million contract. This decision triggered a trade request by the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson requested a trade in February, and the Colts gave him permission to find a new team. Indianapolis has not made a discernible effort to find a trade partner for him, and Richardson has not had success bringing any trade options to the Colts. So how can they maximize his potential rather than hold onto him with no plan to use him?
At the end of the season, Richardson will be an unrestricted free agent since the Colts declined his 5th-year rookie option. If Indianapolis can find a trade partner for him before the end of the preseason, they will at least be able to get a small amount of draft capital in return.
Anthony Richardson’s Potential Market Value
Due to the public conversation between Richardson and the Colts, it is unlikely that Indianapolis will find a trade partner willing to offer compensation commensurate with a former first-round draft pick. They have stated they would be willing to move him for a conditional late-round draft pick, which is a low price for a quarterback once viewed as a starting prospect in the NFL.
Despite his potential, Richardson is a quarterback in need of development with whichever team he plays for this season. So, finding a trade partner for the Colts to move the quarterback will require finding a team that already has a starting quarterback and is willing to invest time in helping Richardson grow into a starting role. This makes a trade partner difficult to find.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Recent tension has developed between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, stemming from an impasse on a contract extension, making South Florida a possible destination. The Bucs also have 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-round draft picks in 2027 to send to Indianapolis as compensation.
Richardson would return to Florida, where he had success in college, and the Buccaneers wouldn’t need him to be their starting quarterback this season. That would give Richardson time to sit on the bench behind Mayfield and learn to be a more effective NFL quarterback. If he develops quickly, Tampa Bay could decide to move on from Mayfield and fill the starting quarterback role with a younger, more dynamic option.
Baltimore Ravens
Another team that could benefit from adding Richardson is the Baltimore Ravens. They are currently committed to Lamar Jackson, but due to his dual-threat ability, the Ravens’ offense is already set up to maximize Richardson’s athletic capabilities. In addition, the Ravens have 5th- and 7th-round draft picks in 2027 and could be willing to send one or both to Indianapolis.
While Richardson would likely not have a future as the Ravens’ starting quarterback, he could be a high-quality backup. During recent seasons, Jackson has had injury issues, and a quarterback like Richardson could help fill in for a missing Jackson effectively. While this move will not be a long-term destination for Richardson, it gives him an opportunity to develop and improve his reputation in the NFL for future negotiations.
Minnesota Vikings
Recently, the Minnesota Vikings have earned a reputation for being a rehab destination for struggling quarterbacks in the NFL. Two seasons ago, Sam Darnold had a bounce-back season leading the Vikings’ offense, and last year he reached the high point of his NFL career by winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. This season, Minnesota acquired Kyler Murray from the Arizona Cardinals, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is looking to turn him into another redemption story for the Vikings.
Richardson could be the next struggling NFL quarterback coming to Minnesota for a chance to turn around his career. The Vikings have a 5th-round pick in 2027, and they would likely be willing to trade that pick for a dual-threat quarterback with Richardson’s raw potential. The Vikings wouldn’t need him to be the starting quarterback, which will give him the time he needs to develop.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints seem to have found their long-term answer at quarterback with Tyler Shough. On the other hand, they did lose the dynamic ability of backup quarterback Taysom Hill, who New Orleans used in a variety of roles. The Saints could be open to adding another athletic quarterback who may end up playing more than just a signal-caller role, and they have a 5th-round draft pick in the 2027 draft that they could send to Indianapolis.
Rather than simply riding the bench and learning from a more experienced quarterback, the Saints could find more dynamic ways to use Richardson’s athletic ability. New Orleans is another team that has had much of its success with quarterbacks who struggled elsewhere. While Richardson would not be the Saints’ top quarterback option, he could make an impact on the field this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Similar to the Ravens, the Philadelphia Eagles are set at quarterback with Super Bowl winner Jalen Hurts. They could use a backup, though, with athleticism similar to Hurts’, and Richardson could be that guy. The Eagles have a 5th-round draft pick in 2027, which would give the Colts what they are looking for in exchange for Richardson.
While this would most likely be a one-year rental for the Eagles, it would give Richardson a chance to develop with one of the top franchises in the NFC over the last few seasons. Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman has built a reputation for building up his roster with prospects at high-value positions to use later to make moves before the trade deadline. By coming to Philadelphia, Richardson would not only improve his situation by joining a championship NFL franchise but also lead to better opportunities down the road.
