Quarterbacks continue to go on the move, this time the New York Jets are trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Chiefs sent the Jets a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for the former Chicago Bear, which is a small price to pay to acquire someone with 53 games of starting experience as Patrick Mahomes recovers from an ACL injury.
Would the Lions have done this trade? Unlikely. They just re-signed Teddy Bridgewater to be their backup QB once again after Kyle Allen signed with the Buffalo Bills. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be kicking the tires on bringing someone else in.
NFL and NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that the Lions were among the teams "who checked in" on Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson's availability. Sidery adds that Richardson's value is "believed to be a late Day 3 pick."
As always with trade speculation, take such reports with a grain of salt. It's unclear how much, if at all, the Lions discussed a Richardson trade with the Colts and if those discussions pre-dated the re-signing of Bridgewater. It's also possible the Lions bring in someone else on top of Bridgewater through free agency.
However, the Chiefs being able to acquire Fields for a sixth-rounder does make that potential "late Day 3 pick" for Richardson all the more realistic, which could be enticing for the Lions. If the Lions play their cards right, a Richardson trade could set them up well in the future.
Richardson could sit and develop like a rookie
The Lions already have their starting QB figured out. Jared Goff will remain the head of the on-field offense for the foreseeable future. If he keeps putting up the numbers he has, his current contract won't be his last with the Lions, either. That doesn't mean the Lions should ignore the QB position, or stick with the low-hanging fruit. Lions should continue to build up the QB room and develop guys.
Richardson provides an intriguing opportunity for the team. The former 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has had a shaky start to his career, amid an already mounting history of injuries and questionable on-field decision-making.
Richardson has played in 17 games and, despite a winning 8-7 record in his starts, has more interceptions (13) than passing touchdowns (11). Richardson has been able to show off his strong arm, albeit inaccurately, and his ability to run the ball to the tune of 10 career rushing TDs.
READ MORE: Don't get too excited about the Jared Goff contract restructure
Richardson would be a developmental project. He wouldn't be ahead of Bridgewater in the depth chart in 2026, but would fill a similar role to Hendon Hooker recently. An opportunity to learn under experienced QBs and possibly grow into a starter, as Malik Willis did as the backup in Green Bay before signing with the Miami Dolphins.
If it works out, the Lions could then send Richardson to a QB-needy team for a higher draft pick.
Notably, Richardson is young. He'll turn 24 in May, four years younger than Hooker and younger than a good handful of QBs in this year's rookie class. Mike Payton of A to Z Sports reported that the Lions had spent plenty of time with Georgia Tech QB Haynes King during the Shrine Bowl.
King would be a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent, and he is indeed among the QBs older than Richardson, having turned 25 in January.
Like King, Richardson shouldn't be seen as a realistic option to be Goff's heir, but the NFL is known to have its Oscar-worthy twists. For a late-round pick, one that may be used on a QB anyway, the Lions should strongly consider Richardson's upside to enhance the QB room and take a low-risk flier on him.