The New York Jets signed Justin Fields during the offseason as a bridge quarterback they hoped could turn into their franchise signal-caller.
However, through seven games, that is looking like a total bust. Fields has played bad football after an impressive Week 1 and he was so bad in Week 7 that head coach Aaron Glenn benched him for Tyrod Taylor.
It's crystal clear that Fields is not going to be the answer for the Jets and that will no doubt lead to New York getting into the quarterback market moving forward.
One player the Jets should have their eye on is Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Anthony Richardson, who could become available ahead of the trade deadline. FanSided's Zachary Rotman predicts the Jets will take that route.
The Jets have nothing to play for, and both Fields and Taylor should not be in the organization next season. Why not make a trade for someone like Richardson who just might show something? Worst case, they select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft. Best case, they luck into their next franchise quarterback.
A former No. 4 overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, Richardson's career has been marred by injuries and ineffective play, which led to him losing his starting job to Daniel Jones.
Now, with Jones thriving far beyond what anyone could have imagined, Richardson might be expendable.
Richardson is still just 23 years old and has the tools to be a successful signal-caller if someone can fix him. We don't want to use the old "change of scenery" trope, but there's no question Richardson could use one.
Richardson is currently on injured reserve with an eye injury, but there has been no indication he'll be out for the rest of the season. And, yes, players on injured reserve can be traded.
Depending on the price (it shouldn't be high considering how down and out he is), the Jets should bring in Richardson via trade and let him play out the rest of the season when healthy.
He's also under contract in 2026, so New York would have another year to evaluate the Florida product to see if he can become the long-term solution. Meanwhile, having Richardson wouldn't preclude New York from drafting a quarterback.
If he pans out, the Jets could have a solution for the next decade-plus. If he does not, New York can simply cut ties with Richardson after next season.
NFL trade rumors