The Indianapolis Colts would've never wanted this to even be a possible conversation.
They drafted Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He was supposed to finally be their quarterback answer after wandering in the wilderness following Andrew Luck's surprise retirement.
Instead, two-and-change years later, Richardson is in trade talks before the Nov. 4 NFL deadline.
It's a weirdly OK problem for the Colts to have, because they're 7-1, and Daniel Jones is shining brightly as their QB.
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Maybe it is time to cut the losses and trade Richardson rather than having to figure out what to do with him later. If an offer comes in, maybe it's the right thing.
ESPN's Ben Solak has suggested one in a new analysis out Tuesday, writing that the Colts should trade Richardson to the Minnesota Vikings for a third- and a sixth-round pick.
"The price (a third-round pick) might look big," Solak writes. "But Trey Lance was moved for a fourth-round pick two years into his career, and Richardson has been better and played more at a similar career stage. Plus, there's a fifth-rounder going back."
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Minnesota could use the dart throw, given Carson Wentz is out for the year and J.J. McCarthy is just coming back from an ankle injury and hasn't looked particularly polished when he's been out there.
"I don't know how bright of a future Richardson has in the league," Solak writes. "If he is to find one, it's hard to imagine a better place to rebound than in Minnesota under (Kevin) O'Connell. As evidenced by quarterbacks across the league, almost anything is possible in the right new home."
Jones is a great example of quarterback redemption.
Richardson probably won't turn it around in Indy. But maybe somewhere else, he'll have a chance.
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