Anthony Richardson, Colts
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warming up during training camp.
The New York Jets have their quarterback for today, but they might not have their quarterback for tomorrow.
The benching of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has sparked rumors about a potential trade. Heavy’s Max Dible proposed a trade idea that could deliver the big-armed QB to New York.
Jets receive: quarterback Anthony Richardson
Colts receive: a 2027 third-round pick
“Aaron Glenn prepared for Justin Fields twice a year for three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. He liked the creativity and talent Fields showed with his legs, and so he brought him into NYC on a two-year deal to start his first-ever tenure as a head coach,” Dible said.
“Richardson has more physical talent than Fields and costs roughly half as much annually over the next two seasons. He’s got the element of ground game that Glenn likes, and as of yet, undeveloped/untapped potential. This is a risk worth taking for an organization that just can’t seem to get the quarterback position right,” Dible added.
Colts Name Daniel Jones Starter for the Full Season
Not only has Daniel Jones been named the starter for Week 1, but he will get the rock for the entire season for Indianapolis.
“He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen on Jones via Joel A. Erickson.
Shane Steichen on Daniel Jones: “He’s the starting quarterback for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) August 19, 2025
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With Jones being the new QB1 in Indy, what does that mean for Richardson?
The former Florida product entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
“Trust is a big factor, and that is, at best, questionable right now,” Richardson’s agent Deiric Jackson told ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.”
Jackson, Richardson’s agent, hasn’t demanded a trade, but he was disappointed with the benching and is “unsure of his client’s future with the club.”
A Potential Lottery Ticket for the Jets
Richardson, 23, is young and supremely talented. He stands at 6-foot-4 and tips the scales at 244 pounds.
Across his first two seasons, he has appeared in 15 games and has made 15 starts. With those opportunities, Richardson has completed 50.6% of his passes, has thrown for 2,391 passing yards, and has a 11 touchdown to 13 interception ratio.
Richardson has also contributed 635 rushing yards, scored 10 rushing touchdowns, and has averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
There is no sugarcoating it; the passing numbers are underwhelming. However, it’s also fair to point out that Richardson entered the draft as a raw prospect out of Florida.
“Dual-threat quarterback with an elite physical profile and a lot of work that needs to be done to reach a potentially high ceiling,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in Richardson’s pre-draft profile.
Richardson needed time to develop. Despite that, the Colts forced him out on the field early. He was the Week 1 starter for Indy during his rookie season.
Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard “has stated that he wishes the Colts hadn’t played Richardson right away,” per James Boyd of The Athletic.
Well, too late for that now, pal.
Jets Could Finally Give Richardson Time to Develop
The Colts never gave Richardson the time to develop behind the scenes. In New York, the Jets could give Richardson that time.
Fields is the starter, and Tyrod Taylor is the backup. They are mobile quarterbacks who have been in the league for years.
It would be a good situation for Richardson because he wouldn’t be forced to play in 2025. If Fields struggles this season, Richardson would provide the team with another option for 2026.