Anthony Richardson Trade Rumors: Colts Field Calls on Benched QB Ahead of Deadline

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IINovember 3, 2024

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

NFL teams reached out to the Indianapolis Colts about possibly trading recently benched quarterback Anthony Richardson, but a deal is considered “unlikely,” per NFL insider Jordan Schultz:

Jordan Schultz @Schultz_ReportSources: Teams have inquired with the #Colts about the possibility of trading QB Anthony Richardson, who was benched this week, though a trade is considered unlikely.

Several teams I spoke to still view Richardson as a franchise-caliber quarterback, and view Indy pulling the… pic.twitter.com/ptiygSQuaB

Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, struggled through six starts this year, completing just 44.4 percent of his passes for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Colts will now start 17-year NFL veteran Joe Flacco in his place.

There’s always a need for quarterbacks around the NFL, and multiple teams right now have questions about their future at the position, including the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders, among others. With the trade deadline Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, it’s no surprise the Colts are getting calls.

However, the Colts are presenting this choice to bench Richardson as a choice to win football games now, not necessarily one where the team is moving in a different direction long-term.

“It’s my obligation to 53 guys and to this organization to win football games,” Steichen said Wednesday, per Michael Marot of the Associated Press. “Tough decision, but one I felt was in the best interest of our football team. I feel Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, not giving up on Anthony (Richardson) by any means.”

It would be unwise for the Colts to give up on their No. 4 overall pick after just 10 starts. After all, the Colts selected the then 20-year-old in the draft after he made just 13 starts at Florida. The athleticism and potential were clearly evident when they picked him, and surely the Colts knew growing pains were inevitable given his raw talent, youth and lack of starting experience.

The bottom line is Richardson has accuracy issues, as seen by his 44.4 percent completion rate. And the 4-4 Colts enter the week a half-game outside the playoffs with a stiff road test against the 5-2 Minnesota Vikings and their No. 9 scoring defense.

If the team wants to win now, the answer is Flacco, who has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception over four games (two starts) when called upon in Richardson’s place due to injury this year.

For the future, Richardson still appears to be the answer. The question is when he’ll get his chance again, but signs point toward that being in a Colts uniform rather than elsewhere around the league.