The Green Bay Packers have been connected to a rather intriguing quarterback trade that could land them the next Malik Willis.
Surely, the Green Bay Packers would have loved to keep Malik Willis this offseason, but it obviously didn't make any sense to pay $22.5 million annually for a backup quarterback.
Now, the Packers will have to search for a Willis replacement, which is obviously not an easy task given how good Willis was during his time in Green Bay.
Yes, the Packers have Jordan Love under center, but it's always good to have a No. 2 quarterback in case of injury, which is what made Willis so valuable.
But could Green Bay swing a trade for another signal-caller much in the same way it acquired Willis from the Tennessee Titans back in August 2024?
Apparently, the Packers are in the mix for such a deal, as ESPN's Stephen Holder has named Green Bay as a "team to monitor" in a potential trade for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.
While Holder added that "no deal is imminent," the Colts have made Richardson available for trade, which should not come as much of a surprise following the team's decision to re-sign Daniel Jones.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Credit: Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.The difference between Willis and Richardson, however, is that the former was a third-round pick. Richardson, on the other hand, was taken by Indianapolis with the fourth overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson certainly flashed ample potential during his rookie campaign, but injuries limited to just four games. He then struggled mightily in 2024, completing just 47.7 percent of his passes and losing his job to Joe Flacco at one point.
Perhaps the Packers feel they could work with Richardson, who possesses tremendous arm strength and tantalizing athleticism.
The question is, would it be worth the cost?
Given that the Colts used such a high draft choice on Richardson, they are certainly not just going to give him away, and it's not like the 23-year-old is ever going to beat out Love for the starting job in the tundra.
Richardson has one year left on his rookie contract and then a $22.5 million club option for 2027, which likely means he will hit free agency after next season.
It seems rather unlike Brian Gutekunst to surrender legitimate draft capital for a one-year rental, but I guess stranger things have happened.
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