The Miami Dolphins are currently navigating their Tua Tagovailoa situation at quarterback. Tua wants a fresh start, and it would seem that the organization wants to give it to him.
However, the franchise incurs a $99 million dead cap hit by releasing him this offseason, adding over $43 million to their 2026 salary cap than if they simply keep him on the roster this season.
Whilst the front-office decides how to proceed, another cheaper option may come into play: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was recently granted permission to seek a trade by the organization, as they look to move forward with last offseason’s successful free agent signing Daniel Jones.
And multiple Dolphins writers have come out endorsing the idea of the team looking into a trade for the fourth year QB, who is still just 23 years of age.
Dolphins Pundits Endorse Anthony Richardson Trade Attempt
“Not sure what the asking price will be, but Jon-Eric Sullivan should have a conversation with Chris Ballard before he leaves Indianapolis”, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques posted on X.
The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad also endorsed a Dolphins trade for the former University of Miami product, who would be returning to his college town.
“For the Miami Dolphins, I like Anthony Richardson at 1-year, $10.8 million more than Malik Willis at $30+ million per season. Ewers, Richardson and Miller/rookie would be interesting camp without big spend.” Schad wrote on Thursday.
Anthony Richardson has shown flashes of why the Colts spent the #4 overall pick on him back in 2023, but very poor accuracy and decision making ultimately saw him benched in his sophomore season for veteran Joe Flacco in 2024, before Jones won the starting job the following training camp in 2025.
Although the Dolphins’ cap situation would perhaps indicate otherwise, Miami is very much in a rebuilding state, which the team plans to do around five players – De’Von Achane, Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, Patrick Paul and Jaylen Waddle.
For a team not necessarily looking to dominate in year one, taking a punt on Richardson and signing him to a high-level backup type extension – as Schad proposes – is not a bad move. The franchise would have limited pressure to bench or move off him early, given everyone knows he has all the raw on-the-field tools to succeed in the NFL.
What Would the Dolphins Have to Give up For Richardson?
Richardson is set to count for $10.8 million against the cap in 2026 if he remains in Indianapolis. By trading him, the cost gets split in half: his new team takes on his $5.38 million guaranteed salary, whilst the Colts eat $5.4 million in dead cap and save the same amount in cap space for this coming season.
The fourth-year pro is also eligible for a fifth year option that will cost $22.4 million in 2027, but it is highly unlikely that this will be activated.
In terms of compensation, a day three pick will most likely be the price. The fourth rounder that the Dallas Cowboys paid for Trey Lance, who was also a naturally-talented top-5 pick that had failed to develop as the 49ers would have liked, very much came out of left field and should not be viewed as an accurate benchmark.
More probable compensation would be closer to a fifth or sixth round pick over the next couple of years.
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