Anthony Richardson is free to leave the Indianapolis Colts as long as he can find a suitor that is willing to give general manager Chris Ballard enough back in a trade. The quarterback is free to seek a trade, though, and that is the first step in his leaving.
To be sure, a player trying to find his own trade partner is always weird. Almost as if his team is telling him, "We don't think anyone will want you, just as we don't, but you are free to try." The player does the heavy lifting for the team.
Will teams be wanting to give much for the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, who has failed so far in the league? Maybe. It's a weak draft class for QBs, and the free agent market isn't any better. Prospective teams might wait and see if Indianapolis will just release Richardson if a trade cannot be worked out.
3 potential trade partners for the Indianapolis Colts for Anthony Richardson
What is clear is that the Colts seem done with Anthony Richardson. Indy wants Daniel Jones to return and have Riley Leonard likely be QB2. Richardson has no home.
Minnesota Vikings
- Colts trade Anthony Richardson
- Vikings trade 2026 fifth-round draft pick
The Vikings would be a great fit for Richardson simply because head coach Kevin O'Connell seems to be a kind of quarterback whisperer, except when it comes to J.J. McCarthy (so far). McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with an injury, andmissed seven games in 2025 because he was hurt. He was also pretty terrible when he did play.
That is the rub, though. Minnesota would love to have Richardson's arm strength and running ability, but the Vikings could also see AR5 as McCarthy 2.0. Neither can stay healthy, and both are trending toward being first-round busts.
Minnesota also has a bit of a jacked-up draft. They have picks in rounds one through three, one in round five, and then a couple in the seventh round. Would giving up a fifth be too pricey for Minnesota? Maybe.
Los Angeles Rams
- Colts trade Anthony Richardson
- Rams trade 2026 fifth-round draft pick
Going to LA might be more of an issue for Richardson than the team, but it could get complicated for the Rams, too. Still, LA could pick up Richardson, see how he does for a year backing up Matthew Stafford, and go from there. Head coach Sean McVay likes strong-armed quarterbacks who can create explosive plays, and Richardson fits that definition.
The problem comes into play with AR5 being in the final year of his rookie deal. The Rams picking up his fifth-year option and paying him $23 million in 2027 doesn't make much sense. The QB would be going to a team capable of winning the Super Bowl, but he has no path to start.
LA could also afford to upgrade what the Colts get in return if they truly believe in Richardson. The Rams have two first-round picks, so they could spare a third if the bidding for Richardson gets unexpectedly wacky.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Colts trade Anthony Richardson
- Steelers trade 2026 fourth-round pick
This might be the best that Indianapolis can do. Teams are unlikely to overpay for a quarterback who has raw skills but a lack of understanding of the fundamentals. Anthony Richardson simply came out of college too early and was not ready to take NFL snaps. He is an inaccurate passer and gets hurt too easily.
The Steelers don't have any long-term options currently at QB, though. Maybe Pittsburgh hopes to re-sign Aaron Rodgers, and Richardson sits for a year behind the all-time great quarterback. The same issue exists as it would with the Rams, however. Pittsburgh would need to pick up the QB's fifth-year option or risk losing him in 2027.
Plus, is Rodgers truly the player that Richardson should be listening to? As all Indianapolis Colts fans know, though, whoever gets Richardson is getting a quarterback who needs a lot of good coaching to be good. New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy might be able to do that.