The New England Patriots seem to have hit the jackpot with quarterback Drake Maye, but they shouldn't stop there. They must continue exploring ways to strengthen their quarterback room.
Given that quarterback is the most pivotal position in the NFL, the Patriots could find themselves in a tough spot if Maye were to miss several games due to an injury or other issues.
New England should consider bringing in a suitable backup for Maye this offseason, and a trade for Anthony Richardson Sr. from the Indianapolis Colts could be a smart move.
The Colts selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has yet to meet the lofty expectations. Over three seasons, he has played in 17 games, started 15, and thrown for 2,400 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Richardson only played in two games this past season after Daniel Jones secured the starting position during training camp. He also faced several injuries throughout the regular season, which prevented him from stepping up when Jones tore his Achilles midway through the year.
The Colts [appear poised to](https://The New England Patriots ought to explore the possibility of trading for this former first-round quarterback to sit behind Drake Maye in the upcoming season.) part ways with Richardson, and given his limited contributions so far, he could be an affordable trade option for the Patriots.
Richardson is entering the final year of his contract. He is set to count $10 million against the cap, which isn’t ideal. The Patriots would be unlikely to pick up his fifth-year option, which must be exercised this offseason, meaning he would be under contract only through 2026.
The Patriots still have backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs under contract for next season, but they could free up $3 million against the salary cap if they decide to release him.
Dobbs is a solid backup, but does anyone truly feel confident that the Patriots can win games if he has to start for more than a month?
Richardson may not be ready to start in the NFL just yet, but there's a good reason he was the fourth pick in the NFL Draft. He possesses immense talent, and perhaps offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, known for his work with quarterbacks, can help bring it out.
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