A panel of NFL experts at ESPN discussed the trade possibilities of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.
The Indianapolis Colts made significant news early in the offseason by signing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce to massive new contracts.
However, it's one of the pending dominoes that is yet to fall that would arguably make the biggest splash of the offseason for the Colts.
In February, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. asked the Colts for a trade, and they granted permission to seek a move. Three months later, and nothing has transpired for Richardson. As such, he reported to the team's offseason program earlier this month after spending the first couple of weeks working out independently.
While the possibility for a trade has diminished with the passing of the draft in April, it's still on the table. With that being the case, ESPN NFL national analysts Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Ben Solak, and Seth Walder presented Colts reporter Stephen Holder with trade offers for Richardson.
Representing the Green Bay Packers, Fowler offered a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft for Richardson.
Graziano's Chicago Bears offered quarterback Tyson Bagent for Richardson.
Solak's Detroit Lions offered a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft for Richardson and a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.
Walder's Minnesota Vikings offered a fifth-round pick in 2027 for Richardson.
Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesUltimately, Holder chose Walder's offer from the Vikings.
"There doesn't appear to be total alignment on Richardson between Colts coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard," Holder wrote. "The latter seems more inclined to try to make it work this season, while the former seems content with Leonard as Daniel Jones' backup. But if Ballard can recoup a substantive pick for Richardson, he's likely to come around.
"The win-win here is Walder's offer from the Vikings. First, it gives the Colts a fifth-rounder without a pick swap like Solak's offer from Detroit. And Minnesota's fifth-rounder will likely come earlier than Green Bay's fifth-rounder, giving this deal the edge over Fowler's pitch. Additionally, it would allow Indianapolis to accommodate Richardson, as Ballard has said he'd like to do, by pairing him with a QB developer in O'Connell. That's precisely what Richardson has been hoping for."
Although Colts general manager Chris Ballard is outwardly open to Richardson's presence on the roster in 2026, the former No. 4 overall pick is likely due for a fresh start elsewhere.
Richardson was named the starter during training camp as a rookie in 2023, but his season ended after four games due to a shoulder injury. The promise he showed garnered excitement for 2024, but his play spiraled. He set a new franchise low 47.7% completion percentage and was benched for two games.
Last offseason, the Colts signed Jones, who ultimately won the starting job from Richardson.
Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14, which would've been Richardson' opportunity to redeem himself, but he suffered his own season-ending eye injury in Week 6.
Now, if Richardson can take his opportunity with the Colts and prove that he is not only healthy, but capable of playing at a high level again during the preseason, perhaps a team is enticed to make the Colts a reasonable offer.
