The Indianapolis Colts made waves this offseason by naming former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter, overtaking former top-five pick Anthony Richardson.
Once seen as the face of the franchise, Richardson now finds himself on the outside looking in, and trade rumors are heating up as a result.
Drafted fourth overall in 2023, Richardson entered the league with elite physical traits: a cannon for an arm, breakaway speed, and a 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame built for modern offenses. But durability and consistency have been serious concerns.
Through two seasons, Richardson has struggled to stay healthy and convert raw ability into dependable quarterback play. In just 11 appearances last season, he rushed for 499 yards and six touchdowns, showcasing his athleticism but completing under 50% of his passes.
Now with Indianapolis putting their faith in Daniel Jones, speculation is growing that Richardson could be dealt, possibly to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are searching for their next franchise quarterback.
Could Pittsburgh be the right fit for Richardson?
Veteran Aaron Rodgers is set to begin the season under center for Pittsburgh, but his contract is only for one year. At 42 years old this December, Rodgers isn’t the long-term solution, and the Steelers know it. Behind him is Mason Rudolph, who hasn’t proven himself as a future starter. That leaves the franchise in limbo at quarterback, unless they make a proactive move.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated the idea of Pittsburgh acquiring Richardson for a 2026 fourth-round pick, noting that the trade could serve two purposes: developing a future starter and bolstering the run game in the short term.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith favors ground-heavy attacks and has a history of designing rushing plays for mobile quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota and Justin Fields. Richardson, when healthy, could thrive in such a scheme.
Beyond his on-field fit, the opportunity to learn from Rodgers could be career-changing for Richardson. Sitting behind a Hall of Fame-caliber QB might give him the mental tools he’s lacked in his short, turbulent NFL tenure.
Still, risks remain. The Colts may demand more than a mid-round pick for a quarterback who was taken fourth overall just two years ago. And for Pittsburgh, investing in Richardson means betting that his injury woes are behind him and his upside can be unlocked.
With the season approaching, both franchises have big decisions ahead. For Indianapolis, moving on from Richardson could mark the end of an experiment gone awry. For Pittsburgh, it might be the beginning of a long-term quarterback solution if they’re willing to roll the dice.
Read the full article here
