Anthony Richardson won’t be the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2025 season, his third in the NFL. The team announced it’s going with former Giants first-rounder Daniel Jones over Richardson.
Although it doesn’t yet mean the Colts are giving up on Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, Richardson’s representation has hinted he may want a second shot elsewhere in the near future.Â
Something similar happened with Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ first-round QB pick in 2022. He was traded to Philadelphia after only two seasons in Pittsburgh, with two years left on his rookie contract.
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There’s a chance Richardson can be moved before the regular season, if the Colts don’t deem him to have better backup material than rookie Riley Leonard. But at the very least, should Jones keep Richardson on the bench for the entire season, Richardson is a strong trade candidate next March in the 2026 offseason.
Here’s looking at the teams that should be most interested in Richardson as a reclamation project.
DeCOURCY:Â How Colts botched another QB draft after Anthony Richardson decision
Anthony Richardson landing spots
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers know they’ll be getting only one season of starting from Aaron Rodgers. Between Texas’ Arch Manning (maybe), Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and others, the 2026 QB draft class lines up to be a strong replacement route. But they might want to take a flyer on Richardson, given his combination of athleticism and arm strength can fit well and develop in Arthur Smith’s offense.
With a deep threat such as DK Metcalf in the mix and a strong reemphasis on the power running game, Richardson has a potentially good environment in which to rebound.
New Orleans Saints
Former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, now the Colts head coach, benched Richardson. There’s no doubt another former Eagles offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, should be interested in Richardson.
Moore, like Steichen, worked very well with Jalen Hurts, another big-armed mobile QB, in Philadelphia. Between Spencer Rattler, rookie Tyler Shough and Jake Haener, the Saints have no good current QB solution post-Derek Carr. Richardson can be worth a shot ahead of tapping into one of those draft prospects.
MORE:Â What’s next for Anthony Richardson after losing Colts QB battleÂ
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett as the two best backups behind Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 next February. Richardson as an upside stash for Sean McVay’s offense would be intriguing.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns may not want to have yet another QB option after choosing Joe Flacco to start again over Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. But it’s the Browns, and it’s their QB situation, so you can’t rule them out for taking a risk on Richardson post-Deshaun Watson.
MORE:Â Joe Flacco named QB1 for Browns after preseason battle
New York Jets
The Jets are taking a good look at former Bear and Steeler Justin Fields as the starter, with 36-year-old Tyrod Taylor remaining the top backup. Richardson has a similar dual-threat skill set to Fields, which has some intrigue for coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
