Anthony Richardson, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after losing to the Denver Broncos.
The Los Angeles Rams may have an ideal situation to foster a young quarterback in need of development, and they could have a clearer path to one with immense talent via trade than in the 2026 draft with Anthony Richardson Sr. of the Indianapolis Colts.
Richardson is a former top-five draft pick and has starting experience, and his skill set could be the one thing that would take the Rams’ league-leading offense to a different level with time.
The question is whether Richardson is an enticing enough target to trade for.
Rams Trade Pitch Lands Colts’ Anthony Richardson Sr.
Anthony Richardson Trade
GettyAnthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts against the Tennessee Titans.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported in a post on X on Thursday that “The Indianapolis Colts have given QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade given his uncertain future in Indy, ESPN has learned,” which piqued interest among Rams Nation.
The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted that the decision “has been the inevitable outcome since last preseason. Curious to see where AR lands. (I think the Rams should give him a look.)”
This Heavy Sports Rams trade proposal would ship out a conditional draft pick for Richardson.
Rams get:
Anthony Richardson
Colts get:
2026 fifth-round pick
2027 conditional fourth-round pick (becomes third with playing time)
The Rams could skip the middleman and offer the Colts a higher pick in 2026 for Richardson. They would still be able to trade back with one of their two first-rounders, with a potential QB of the future in hand, and recoup some lost value that way.
They would send two picks in this idea to, hopefully, add more incentive than a rival might otherwise offer.
Richardson offers dual-threat potential, but comes with significant questions.
Anthony Richardson Sr. Still a Young QB
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warms up ahead of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.
GettyAnthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, turns 24 in May. He is younger than 2024 first-round picks Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels. He is three days older than 2025 top pick Cam Ward and 100 days older than third-overall pick Drake Maye.
“The decision to allow conversations with other teams was communicated during a meeting with Ballard and Richardson’s camp on Thursday. In that meeting, Ballard expressed a willingness to work with Richardson to find a suitable landing spot. That’s why the decision to allow Jackson to speak with other teams and find a match works in the player’s favor,” Holder wrote in a follow-up report on the matter.
“Richardson has one season remaining on his rookie contract provided unless his 2027 fifth-year option is exercised. He is due a $1.145 million and a $4.24 million roster bonus that is due in August. The Colts would save $5.385 million in salary cap space with $5.43 million in dead money if Richardson is traded before June 1.”
Atkins acknowledged that Richardson’s case is complicated, with injuries and environment among the many factors that have contributed to his falling out of favor with the Colts. Clearly, not enough to sully the idea of him backing up reigning MVP Matthew Stafford in 2026.
Former fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV is the only other QB under contract.
Rams in Intriguing Position
Anthony Richardson, Colts
GettyAnthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a game against the Houston Texans.
The Rams would face a pair of critical decisions on Richardson if they acquired him in a trade this offseason.
The first would be regarding his fifth-year option, with the deadline for that in May. After that, the Rams would need to figure out a way to not only focus on their Stafford-led group but also find a way to properly groom Richardson to take over.
They would have to do that, they would hope, without him taking any meaningful live snaps.