Anthony Richardson’s Top 3 Trade Destinations After Shocking Announcement

The Indianapolis Colts and the quarterback Anthony Richardsonoverall pick number 4 for 2023, have “mutually agreed” to seek a trade this NFL offseason. While the former Florida Gator struggled mightily in the pros, it’s not often that a 23-year-old first-round QB becomes available. So there will be a market there, and these four teams are the top trade destinations for Anthony Richardson.

Richardson has struggled with performance, injuries and perception throughout his three-year NFL career. From his 50.6% completion rate to throwing just 11 touchdowns to 13 interceptions to only playing in 17 games over three seasons, not much has gone right for the young signal-caller.

No one questions Richardson’s arm or athletic ability. He is one of (if not the) most athletic quarterback in NFL history. However, his accuracy, toughness and ability to stay healthy are up for debate. The product on the field hasn’t improved in the first three seasons, and so on taking himself out of the game because he was tired and breaking its orbit on heating when the resistance bar is broken, a possible KB franchise is hard to find.

Still, you can’t teach a 6-foot-4, 244-pounder with a 4.43 A 40-yard board and a 40.5-inch vertical. And so it would make sense for these four teams to enter Anthony Richardson as his top potential trade destinations.

The Miami Dolphins are starting over, and that means leaving the job of Tua Tagovailoa. Currently, Quinn Evers would be the starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, which basically means the team is preparing for a possibly loaded 2027 NFL Draft class.

If the Dolphins plan to be without a young signal caller who likely isn’t an NFL starter this season, why not do it with a player who has much more upside than Evers?

In a division with the Buffalo Bills and AFC Super Bowl representative the New England Patriots, the Dolphins can offer Richardson plenty of playing time without having to worry too much about results. If Richardson can develop into something special, that could be one way to do it.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is still a big mess, so why not add another ingredient to the stew? Deshaun Watson is finally in the final year of the worst contract in NFL history, so the Browns can afford to pick up Richardson’s five-year, $23.5 million option in 2027 and give him two years to compete with Sheeder Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

There’s no way the Browns can get anywhere near respectability until they figure out their decades-old quarterback problem. At this point, why not throw things against the wall to see if anything sticks?

Plus, putting three young QBs like Richardson, Sanders and Gabriel into the competition could push at least one of them to new heights, so even if the former Colts QB doesn’t win out, it could still be good for the organization.

The Minnesota Vikings appear to be done with the JJ McCarthy experiment, which is saying a lot because if anyone can get the best out of KB and even turn his career around, it’s Kevin O’Connell.

During his four seasons in Minnesota, O’Connell worked his magic on Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs and even reigning Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold. If anyone can take the ball of clay that is Anthony Richardson and make him the starting signal, it’s O’Connell.

The added benefit here is that Richardson will have a Justin Jefferson-like weapon at his disposal in Minneapolis, which he never had during his time in India.

While giving Richardson plenty of playing time or putting him in competition with other young QBs or pairing him with a quarterback-whispering coach are avenues that could potentially get the best out of him, so is putting a seasoned veteran Super Bowl champion behind him for at least a year.

Sitting out the season behind Matthew Stafford could do a lot to help Richardson’s development. Although they are very different QBs, Stafford is a true professional whose work ethic and smarts could rub off on the youngster.

Also, the Los Angeles Rams have the added bonus of also having arguably the best offensive-minded coach in the NFL in Sean McVay. If any coach can turn Richardson around and use him in creative packages next season, it’s the Rams’ genius guru.