The Indianapolis Colts have made their decision that Daniel Jones will be the starting quarterback at the start of the 2025-26 regular season, with Anthony Richardson finding himself as QB2 again in his career.
The future in Indy is questionable for Richardson. He can remain with the AFC South team and hope to get playing time during this season as a backup to Jones. Or, Richardson could find himself on a new team in the future to revitalize his career.
This is the third time in his career that Richardson will be the second option on the quarterback depth chart. Richardson, who is just 23 years old, could benefit from a move to a different team.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell created a trade scenario where the Colts trade away the former Florida Gator quarterback to an in-conference team.
Anthony Richardson To Pittsburgh?
GettyAnthony Richardson Sr. #5 of the Indianapolis Colts
In Barnwell’s trade idea, the Colts are sending quarterback Anthony Richardson to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard might just decide a fresh start would make sense for all parties involved. In this scenario, the Colts would land compensation in line with what the [San Francisco] 49ers received in 2023 for Trey Lance, a similarly frustrating former top-five pick who was traded away after two pro seasons,” Barnwell wrote. “The Steelers would land Richardson with two usage cases. One would be for the future, which might charitably be described as a big question mark in Pittsburgh.”
“Richardson simply hasn’t been up to the task of playing quarterback at the professional level, but he also has thrown just 348 pro passes… If the Steelers think there’s a possibility of him turning into a viable starter next season, the 23-year-old would be worth the risk, especially given their current alternatives.”
In Barnwell’s trade proposal, the Steelers will give up a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Richardson.
Barnwell believes that the Steelers could utilize Richardson similarly to how they used Justin Fields, incorporating run concepts from behind the center.
Remaining With The Colts
GettyIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warming up during training camp.
While the Steelers could benefit from Anthony Richardson, who will sit behind 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, the odds of the Colts moving Richardson are quite low.
Indy head coach Shane Steichen said that he doesn’t want the team to have a “quick leash” on Jones. But if things don’t go as Steichen expects with the former New York Giant, Richardson is the next man up.
As a player who knows the offensive scheme and has familiarity with the coaching staff, if Jones is benched or goes down with an injury, Richardson can fill right in.
The Colts are entering a make-or-break period with their head coach and general manager; whatever happens next heavily relies on their quarterbacks next season.
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