If the Indianapolis Colts make quarterback Anthony Richardson available via trade, one beat writer believes the Las Vegas Raiders might get involved.
On Tuesday, the Colts announced that veteran Daniel Jones has won the starting quarterback competition against Richardson, which many believe will make Richardson expendable.
While that remains to be seen, it’s fair to speculate about the Colts possibly trading the former top-five pick, who has been marred by injury and ineffective play over two seasons in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks beat writer Corbin K. Smith, who used to cover Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, said it’s not crazy to think Carroll could be interested in acquiring Richardson.
“I could absolutely see the Raiders trying to trade for Anthony Richardson to work with him behind Geno Smith. Pete Carroll has been a fan for a long time. And Pete has a pretty good track record with his staff of turning the careers around for QBs,” Smith wrote.
While head coach of the Seahawks, Carroll made it quite clear that Seattle had a lot of interest in Richardson during the pre-draft process and would have definitely considered him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
“We considered him,” Carroll said, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. “Shoot, we flew all the way out there to go see him. Not just to see him but to be around him and watch him and how he handled himself, and his program with all the hype that was going.
“We gave him tremendous consideration. He might be the best athlete that’s ever been drafted at that position. He’s arguably that.”
Trading for Richardson isn’t a crazy idea given the Raiders’ situation at quarterback and Carroll’s past comments on him.
Geno Smith is entrenched as the starter, but he’s also set to turn 35 this year and can be cut in 2027 with zero penalty. As things stand now, Las Vegas doesn’t have a long-term solution at quarterback on the roster.
We could see the Raiders taking a flyer on Richardson, who is still just 23 years old. Having Richardson sit and learn behind Smith could do wonders for his development.
Of course, for the Raiders to have any interest in Richardson, price will be paramount.
We can live with the Raiders giving up a Day 3 pick for him, but nothing more than that. It would be even better if the Colts would take Aidan O’Connell in return.
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