The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the 2026 offseason fully ready to go all-in for the 2026 season. Matthew Stafford is back for one more year, and the roster is mostly set.
While there are short-term needs, the Rams also need to consider the future as well. One of the more important issues to address is the quarterback plan if Stafford retires. There's no good developmental quarterback on the roster. But the Rams can change that in one move.
As Stephen Holder of ESPN reports, the Indianapolis Colts are permitting Anthony Richardson to seek a trade. Richardson, the 2023 4th overall draft pick, would be the perfect developmental QB option for the Rams in 2026.
Why Rams should trade for Colts' Anthony Richardson
"NEWS: The Indianapolis Colts have given QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade, given his uncertain future in Indy, ESPN has learned," Holder reports.
This is big news for the Colts and the NFL. Richardson has some incredibly high potential. With great running ability and a cannon of an arm, Richardson could be one of the more fun quarterbacks in the NFL if he figures it out.
Of course, that's easier said than done. He's 23 years old and has made 15 starts in his career thus far. He's gone 8-7 with a 50.6% completion rate, 2,400 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
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As a runner, Richardson has 734 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns on 115 attempts across the last three seasons. One of his biggest issues, aside from some inaccuracy problems, has been his health.
He played four games in his rookie year and 11 in 2024. Daniel Jones won the starting job in 2025, and as the backup, Richardson suffered a freak accident, which left him with an eye injury.
While Richardson needs reps in the NFL, he also needs to improve as a quarterback. If he can spend a year learning behind Stafford, a Hall of Fame QB still playing at an MVP level, and spend a year being coached by Sean McVay, he could turn his career around.
From the Rams' perspective, adding Richardson makes a lot of sense. He's a high-upside quarterback who's only 23 years old and could be a great developmental QB behind Stafford for a year.
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If there is one issue, to keep Richardson around for more than just the 2026 season, the Rams would need to extend him, or use, according to overthecap.com, a projected $23.5 million fifth-year option.
While that might be a bit too much for Richardson, thanks to his high upside and the Rams' shaky future after Stafford, spending $23.5 million on Richardson in 2027 wouldn't be the worst dar-throw to take.
Getting him inside the facility for a year before he actually needs to be the starter could be a great way to develop Richardson, a quarterback with incredibly high upside.
Richardson is a player the Rams should trade for this offseason. His high-upside is something the Rams should take a chance on, as their situation is a near-perfect one for the Colts quarterback to depart Indianapolis for.
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