Anthony Richardson is still part of the Colts, though he is not a guy seen in the future of the team. Hence, he could be a cheaper QB with plenty of upside (though still very raw) for the Packers to go for.

Per Holder, the QB “would be attracted to a situation that pairs him with a proven QB developer. There are several coaches out there that check that box, including Matt LaFleur.” After all, Richardson is only 23 years old and a freak athlete.

LaFleur has a great developing reputation

When Malik Willis arrived in Green Bay he was as raw as a prospect can be. While being Jordan Love’s backup, Willis learned and developed under LaFleur. When he played, he shined. In fact, LaFleur is the reason why Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal.

Same as Willis, Richardson is a very raw product, yet incredibly talented. Hence, he could see LaFleur as the best possible candidate. Richardson should see this as the opportunity to finally flourish.

Richardson must understand he will still not play much

Jordan Love is the undisputed QB1 of the Packers. So, if Richardson goes there, he must have the understanding that he is not even going to compete for the job. However, it’s a chance to make something out of his career. And, when Jordan Love gets banged up, a solitary good performance would get his stock elevated massively. Richardson must be wise, and the Packers are a wise choice.

Rumors surrounding Rodgers’ potential departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers have cooled significantly. The veteran quarterback is reportedly preparing to return to Pittsburgh, leaving Minnesota with one fewer option in free agency.

With Rodgers seemingly off the table, the Vikings are moving forward with plans to create competition for McCarthy ahead of the 2026 NFL season. And now, a new name has emerged.

Report: Vikings and Anthony Richardson have mutual interest

On Thursday, Anthony Richardson received clarity about his future with the Indianapolis Colts. The quarterback was granted permission to seek a trade, and Minnesota quickly surfaced as a potential landing spot.

According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media, the Vikings and Richardson share “mutual interest” in joining forces for the 2026 season. If a deal materializes, Richardson would immediately compete with McCarthy for the QB1 role.

Rodgers had been mentioned as a possibility in recent weeks, but with the veteran expected to stay in Pittsburgh, Minnesota appears focused on younger — and potentially more affordable — alternatives.

Richardson lost his starting job in 2025 after the Colts signed Daniel Jones, ironically a former Vikings quarterback. Now, the former first-round pick could get a fresh opportunity in Minnesota, where the organization is clearly seeking stronger competition at the position.

Will J.J. McCarthy be traded?

As things stand, the Vikings are expected to host a legitimate quarterback battle heading into 2026. McCarthy is still viewed as the frontrunner, but his grip on the starting job is far from secure.

The biggest concern surrounding McCarthy remains durability. Injuries have limited his availability, and if he struggles to stay healthy and perform consistently, trade speculation could intensify sooner rather than later.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, via Stephen Holder, the Colts gave Richardson permission to seek a trade. According to Holder, this is because of Richardson’s uncertain future with the Colts.

Richardson was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since then, he has shown raw talent, but also has struggled with accuracy and with his health, constantly getting injured.

Richardson’s athletic skills

Standing at 6’4″ and weighing around 244 pounds, Richardson is a big quarterback. Pair that to a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and he is a quarterback with plenty of physical talent to exploit. However, his flaws are as clear as his strengths.

Richardson has started just 15 games out of 51 possible. However, in 2025 he was benched, yet still was injured for most season with an orbital bone injury. During his 15 games, he has an 8-7 record, completing just 50.6% of his passes for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Richardson has a career 67.8 passer rating. Now, a team needy of a quarterback could see a great project in the soon-to-be 24-year-old. But, all teams must be aware that fixing might be needed.

What are the Colts going to do with their QB situation?

Daniel Jones is recovering from an Achilles heel tear, and is also scheduled to be a free agent. However, the Colts reportedly want to bring him back. Still, the Colts had to bring then retired quarterback Philip Rivers back to the gridiron last year. That’s how bad their QB situation was. Hence, they need to finally settle on a proper, reliable QB1 if they want to challenge for something else.

Rumors around the league mention that the Vikings could look at Richardson as a great option to bring competition to JJ McCarthy. Kevin O’Connell is a public fan of Richardson and he has a great talent to develop quarterbacks. Hence, without Richardson and Jones, the only QB on the Colts would be second-year QB Riley Leonard.

Daniel Jones shocked everyone with an impressive debut season with the Colts in 2025. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles during the year, raising questions about his future in 2026, when he is scheduled to become a free agent.

However, the Colts believe Daniel Jones is the quarterback they need. On Thursday, general manager Chris Ballard said he envisions a future with Jones as the team’s QB1 following his solid 2025 campaign. “I think Daniel Jones has a really bright future here in Indianapolis,” Ballard said.

A message for Anthony Richardson

On Tuesday, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon shared an intriguing update on Anthony Richardson. However, Ballard’s comments may have now clarified the future of the former first-round pick.

Irsay-Gordon was clear when she said the front office and coaching staff would make the final call on the Jones vs. Richardson decision. Now that the general manager has spoken, it will ultimately fall to head coach Shane Steichen to decide the future of the former No. 4 overall pick.

According to rumors, the Colts attempted to trade Richardson during the 2025 season. With Ballard now envisioning Jones as the team’s QB1 in 2026, it appears to be only a matter of time before the organization moves on from Richardson, although his trade market may be limited.

Daniel Jones’ situation could go both ways

Last offseason, the Colts acquired Daniel Jones to sit behind Anthony Richardson. Instead, he won the starting quarterback job and led the team to an 8–5 record before his season ended due to the Achilles injury.

The Colts remain confident in the former Duke standout. Still, an Achilles injury is difficult to overcome, and many fans are questioning whether Jones can return at the same—or an even higher—level than he showed during the 2025 season.

Carlie Irsay-Gordon was recently questioned about Anthony Richardson’s situation with the Colts. While she still believes in the former first-round pick, she made it clear that her opinion should not influence the coaching staff, who will ultimately make the final decision.

“I think I’m going to stay in my lane on that one,” Carlie Irsay-Gordon said, via transcript from the team. “But it’s — I feel horrible for Anthony with the injuries that he’s had to endure, and I know Chris [Ballard] and Shane [Steichen] are going to do the right thing.”

Are the Colts trading Anthony Richardson?

For the 2025 season, the Colts signed Daniel Jones primarily to add depth at quarterback. Surprisingly, Jones won the QB1 competition over Anthony Richardson and went on to have an impressive campaign.

Richardson, as Irsay-Gordon pointed out, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. That has been a major factor in the Colts’ decision to rely on other quarterbacks and could ultimately determine whether he remains in Indianapolis.

The former fourth overall pick has shown flashes of elite talent since entering the league in 2023. However, his inability to stay healthy has directly impacted his development, as availability is a crucial factor in achieving consistency and allowing coaches to fully develop a player’s skill set.

According to reports, the Colts may be open to listening to offers for Anthony Richardson. Much like Daniel Jones before him, a fresh start elsewhere could give Richardson the opportunity to prove he is still capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL.

What will happen with Daniel Jones?

At this point, the most likely path for the Colts appears to be sticking with Daniel Jones. He delivered a solid debut season in Indianapolis, though concerns remain about whether his health issues could affect the team’s willingness to commit to him long term.

Jones tore his Achilles during the 2025 season, raising questions about his recovery. Many fans believe that, had he stayed healthy, he could have led the Colts to the playoffs. That optimism is tempered by uncertainty over whether he can return at full strength and replicate his success following such a serious injury.

Richardson dealt with an orbital fracture. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson is still dealing with some vision limitations, but at least he has been able to return to football activities.

As for now, all signs point to Philip Rivers to still be the starting quarterback for the Colts. Rivers had a frisky appearance against the Seahawks last week, almost winning a game in what would’ve been the upset of the season.

The differences between QBs are inmense

Rivers and Richardson couldn’t be further apart in terms of playing styles. Rivers is 44 years old, has no mobility and was retired two weeks ago. However, he excels at reading defenses, moving the chains and getting the ball where it needs to be most of the time.

Richardson is 23 years old, not that accurate or able to read defenses properly. However, he is very athletic, has a cannon for an arm, and is an absolute machine running the football as well. Hence, the team could change a lot depending on who is lined up under center.

The Colts should really test Richardson

If Richardson overcomes his vision problems, the Colts should really let him finish the season. While Rivers’ comeback is very romantic, nostalgic, and courageous, the future is without him, and the Richardson experiment might still be something interesting.

Richardson is young, very raw, but has a career in front of him. If he is able to go, he has to get the reps in the last few weeks of the season. Literally, his Colts career depends on how he fares.

Earlier this year, the Colts made the bold decision to name Daniel Jones their starting quarterback over Richardson. So far, that move has paid off, with the team off to an impressive start in the 2025 NFL season.

Anthony Richardson missed Week 6 after suffering an orbital eye fracture in a freak elastic band accident during pregame warmups. On Monday, the Colts officially placed him on injured reserve and have now named a new backup to sit behind Jones.

Colts name new backup quarterback amid Anthony Richardson’s eye injury

The Colts are currently 5-1 after a strong start led by Daniel Jones. The veteran quarterback has silenced his critics and proven to be the right choice under center.

However, the lingering question remains: what’s next for Anthony Richardson? The former first-rounder began the season as Jones’ backup, but following his eye injury, his role—and future with the team—may no longer be secure once he returns.

After placing Richardson on IR, the Colts promoted rookie Riley Leonard to QB2 for Week 7. “I love Riley,” head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday, via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. “I think he’s come in with the right mindset from Day 1. He prepares. It’s a hell of an opportunity for him this week.”

Steichen emphasized that the move was purely injury-related and downplayed any long-term implications. However, other recent roster moves suggest that a trade involving Richardson could be on the horizon.

The Colts also signed Brett Rypien this week to add depth to the position. If Leonard impresses during practice or in limited action, Richardson’s future in Indianapolis could become even more uncertain once he’s eligible to return.

Decreased value

If the Colts are indeed planning to trade Anthony Richardson, they may need to lower his asking price due to his eye injury, as he would still be on IR if a deal happens before the trade deadline.

Richardson could use a fresh start elsewhere—just as Daniel Jones has in Indianapolis—to remind the league why he was once a first-round pick and that he still has the potential to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has played only two games this season, going 1 of 2 for 9 yards.

The Colts boast a 4-1 record after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 40-6 in Week 5 and now prepare to face off against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, Richardson’s future could be away from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Anthony Richardson reportedly interested in joining Rams

ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks that Richardson “would be open” to working under Sean McVay, known for his ability to develop players.

“Richardson is an interesting one,” Graziano wrote. “I remember a couple of teams wondering if Indy would be open to moving him during free agency. So far, they’ve insisted they aren’t, but you’re right. If Jones keeps playing well and leads them to their first division title in more than a decade, who’s to say the Colts don’t decide he’s their future at quarterback and sign him to an extension?” he said.

“In general, acquiring a starting QB at the trade deadline is tough, because in most cases it’s a guy who must learn a new offense on the fly. By the time he’s up to speed, it could be too late for him to save the season. That’s why someone like Richardson, whom teams might view for development in the long term, makes more sense. But there are situations that come up where a team with high hopes finds itself with a sudden need and might be willing to take the risks involved with bringing in someone from outside its system, right?” he added.

In 17 games played, Richardson has gone 177 of 350 for 2,400 yards and 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions and 21 sacks.

The NFL trade deadline is a month away and some are wondering if the third-year quarterback would be in the move before it strikes. Richardson’s injury issues and lack of consistency have derailed his development.

He was limited to four games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He played 11 games in 2024, while alternating starts with Joe Flacco. After suffering another injury during OTAs, Richardson lost his position on the team, and now his future could be out of Indy.

NFL insider says Anthony Richardson hasn’t drawn attention

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones discussed how likely Richardson, Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are to be on the move in the coming weeks. He reports that nothing is happening for these three players, adding that Richardson is the least likely to be dealt.

“The least likely out of the three to be traded in the next month is Richardson,” Jones wrote. “Sources immediately shot down the potential of a trade out of Indianapolis in the next few weeks.”

“Daniel Jones is the frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year through four games, but that doesn’t mean the Colts are ready to move on from Richardson. GM Chris Ballard has said quite the opposite, and the former No. 4 overall pick is expected to remain with the Colts through the trade deadline and this season. Richardson is in the third year of his four-year rookie contract, and the Colts picking up his fifth-year option seems unlikely at this current point,” he added.

The Colts are 3-1 with Jones under center. Richardson showed glimpses of his talents when he took the field, but the intriguing player who arrived in 2023 has regressed ever since.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Deiric Jackson met with Colts general manager Chris Ballard to discuss his client’s situation. Reports describe the meeting as a “very constructive” opportunity to “let feelings be known.”

This is a clear sign that Anthony Richardson wants to continue in Indianapolis. However, his future may depend entirely on how Daniel Jones performs in the upcoming 2025 NFL season.

Is Anthony Richardson going to be traded?

The future of Anthony Richardson is very much in question. The quarterback lost his starting job to newcomer Daniel Jones, which has naturally raised concerns among Colts fans.

For many, Richardson’s days in Indianapolis appear to be numbered. The former fourth-overall pick has struggled to meet expectations, with inconsistent performances and recurring injuries limiting his progress.

While the Colts have repeatedly said they want to keep Richardson, committing long-term to a backup may not be the wisest move. Trading him for draft capital could prove more practical.

As a former high first-round selection, Anthony Richardson still carries value. However, unless Jones falters badly, the young quarterback may not get another chance to showcase his skills in Indianapolis.

The Colts recently named Daniel Jones their starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season. Many believed this would mark the end of Anthony Richardson’s tenure in Indianapolis, but the coaching staff still sees potential in the young passer.

On Thursday, head coach Shane Steichen was asked about Richardson’s future. Surprisingly, he revealed that the team may be developing a game plan to capitalize on Richardson’s unique physical traits to help the offense in ways beyond traditional passing.

Shane Steichen hints Colts may use Anthony Richardson in a new offensive role

After naming Daniel Jones the starter, many fans doubted whether Richardson would even remain part of Indianapolis’ plans. However, the club has not given up on their former first-round pick.

According to Steichen, the Colts not only want to keep developing Richardson but also plan to use him situationally. How? In a way that could stir controversy—and one Richardson himself may not love.

When asked if the team intends to use Richardson in short-yardage scenarios, Steichen didn’t shut the door. Given his size and athleticism, many believe the Colts could turn to him in plays where they’d rather not risk exposing Daniel Jones to injury.

“We’ll see,” head coach Shane Steichen said on Thursday, via Kevin Bowen. “I want to make sure he crushes his new role and takes it in stride, and does a hell of a job there. So, we’ll see.”

This is obviously not the role a former No. 4 overall pick envisions for his career. Nevertheless, it may be Richardson’s chance to regain the team’s trust and prove he’s committed to whatever role the Colts carve out for him.