Indianapolis Colts
Trade pitch sees Browns acquiring Anthony Richardson.
The Cleveland Browns are searching for a new quarterback and could look at the trade market.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Browns acquiring Anthony Richardson from the Indianapolis Colts in an intriguing move.
Browns acquire:
Anthony Richardson
Colts acquire:
2026 fourth-round pick (107th overall)
The proposed deal is an intriguing one and makes sense for both sides. Cleveland would take a flier on the all-athletic Richardson, who was a former fourth overall pick and is still in his entry-level deal.
Richardson would be given a chance to start with the Browns, and a change of scenery is needed. With Cleveland unlikely to land Malik Willis, Richardson is a low-cost move for the Browns.
Cleveland should bring in Richardson for a mid-round pick, have him compete with Shedeur Sanders and go with Deshaun Watson if neither pans out. In that scenario, and maybe even if Sanders or Richardson plays well, the Browns can look for a franchise QB in what should be a strong 2027 draft class.
As for the Colts, Indianapolis gets out from Richardson and gives him a fresh start. Richardson is in the final year of his $33.9 million rookie deal, as his fifth-year option will be declined.
Browns Linked to Trading for Richardson
With the Colts looking to move on from Richardson, the Browns are expected to pursue him.
Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic linked Cleveland to acquiring Richardson in a low-risk move.
“Last week, Anthony Richardson requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson, who turns 24 in May, is signed only through 2026,” Jackson wrote. “He was the fourth pick in 2023 and just 20 at the time. He has always been a developmental player. But after making 15 starts over his first two years, Richardson was replaced last season and is headed for a fresh start. He will probably be available for a third-day draft pick, with an exact market and asking price still to be determined.
“Richardson has 11 career passing touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His completion percentage on 350 career attempts is just 50.6. The 6-foot-4, 244-pounder is four months younger than Sanders, who threw 212 passes during his rookie season. Monken designed his Baltimore Ravens offenses the last three seasons around the running and passing talents of Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP. Jackson is a unique talent, but Monken has an affinity for mobile quarterbacks.”
Richardson is a mobile quarterback who could resemble Lamar Jackson, which is why Todd Monken and the Browns could pursue him. And, if he doesn’t pan out, it would be a low-risk move.
Cleveland Searching for Quarterback Help
The Browns have a major question mark, and the team is reportedly looking to make a quarterback move.
General manager Andrew Berry said he expects the team to be active in the quarterback market.
“I would anticipate that there’s at least the chance that we would be a little bit more aggressive relative. I’ll say this, more aggressive than last year. But it’ll be targeted and opportunistic,” Berry said. “I think realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window. But if there’s something that fits us, fits our roster, fits our timeline, then it’s certainly a swing we’ll take.”
Who the Browns will end up adding is to be seen, but Cleveland is looking to make a move.