Quarterback Anthony Richardson has requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, but that was way back in February, and, seemingly, before the Earth cooled. Things can change. While no trade materialized, the QB didn't choose to hold out. He came to camp and practiced as if he were going to be QB1.
Still, Indy could move him, and if they do the third day of training camp in late July will be one for Indy fans to watch. If Richardson is still on the team, he would be due a $4.2 million roster bonus. If a potential trade partner waits to make an offer, Indianapolis can't refuse until after that day, Richardson's new team would only have to pay him $1.1 million for the coming season.
That shouldn't be easily dismissed, either. Any team adding AR5 isn't looking to necessarily make him a starter right away. Instead, he might be viewed as a one-year experiment to see if the team wants to move forward with the quarterback a bit longer.
Indianapolis Colts fans will want to keep an eye on one date in relation to Anthony Richardson
At best, he would be expected to be QB2 by nearly every team, and giving a player $1.1 million to do that is basically nothing in the NFL. That's a good risk to take, even if the player doesn't work out, but Richardson's upside is more than worth the value.
Why would the Indianapolis Colts entertain an offer after already giving Anthony Richardson so much money? If nothing else, he would leave a vacancy that Indy could use to keep a player at a more needy position. An extra edge rusher or wide receiver would be an option.
A trade of Richardson in early training camp would also give fans an encouraging sign as far as Daniel Jones is concerned. The starting quarterback tore his Achilles tendon in Week 14, and he is pushing to return for Week 1. That would be nine months after the injury, and a quick return, but it's possible.
Moving Richardson would indicate that Jones will be ready at the start of the season. The trade would also show confidence in fellow quarterback Riley Leonard that the team sees him as a long-term backup to Jones, and good enough to step in if Jones gets injured once again.
While Richardson hasn't been productive in his three-year career, he also hasn't been a bad person. He deserves a chance somewhere, and he isn't going to get that with the Colts anymore; that time has passed. Maybe some other coach can finally unlock his potential.
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