The Green Bay Packers have leaned on their backup quarterback in each of the past two years behind starter Jordan Love, and the team is looking to replace Malik Willis in that role after he left in March for the Miami Dolphins.
Desmond Ridder has 18 career starts (8-10) and remains on the roster, but that hasn’t stopped speculation across the NFL that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is a trade candidate for Green Bay.
“Update on Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who is available via trade,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder posted to X March 15. “No deal is imminent, per multiple sources. There are interested teams, but the dust is still settling from free agency. One particular team to monitor: the Green Bay Packers.”
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report on Wednesday cited Holder when discussing Richardson’s likelihood as a cut/trade candidate after the the last draft picks come off the board Saturday, April 25, or possibly before then.
“Richardson needs a change of scenery,” Moton wrote. “Looking at quarterback Malik Willis’ development in Green Bay over the last two years, Richardson should hope that Colts general manager Chris Ballard is on the phone with Packers executive Brian Gutekunst during or after the draft.”
Injuries, Poor Play Have Marred Anthony Richardson’s Career
GettyQuarterback Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
Richardson never panned out after the Colts selected him No. 4 overall in 2023.
Still shy of his 24th birthday in May, Richardson entered the league as an inexperienced player (just 13 starts in college) with elite physical gifts that include impeccable arm strength and mobility as well as natural size (6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighing 245 pounds).
Richardson went so high in the draft based on upside speculation, as he possesses unteachable athletic traits. However, injury hampered him during his rookie campaign, in which he played just four games.
In Year 2, Richardson battled health issues and poor play. For one stretch, the team benched him in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Several incidents, including Richardson asking out of a game absent any injury, led to a strained relationship between the QB and the team as well as the fan base.
After 11 starts in 2024, Richardson lost the QB1 role to Daniel Jones during last preseason and never regained it. He didn’t start after Jones went down with an Achilles injury mid-year because Richardson was out with a fractured orbital bone due to a freak training accident in October.
All told, Richardson has played in 17 games in the NFL, starting 15 of those (8-7). He has thrown for 2,400 yards, 11 TDs and 13 INTs with a 50.6 percent completion rate. He has also rushed the football for 634 yards and 10 scores.
Trade Market for Anthony Richardson Should Heat Up During, After NFL Draft
GettyQuarterback Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts.
Indy afforded Richardson freedom to pursue trade opportunities as far back as the NFL combine in late February.
Nothing firm has materialized, but the lack of movement is somewhat unsurprising given the timing. Several franchises may consider a less expensive quarterback to develop at some point in the draft, so seeing how things shake out two weekends from now is the logical choice for multiple potential suitors.
Green Bay is in a different situation, looking for a game-ready backup to fill in if necessary. That said, Richardson remains a developmental project himself, and the way the Packers coached up Willis and built his value should be appealing to the young QB in Indianapolis.
Richardson is heading into the final year of his $34 million rookie contract. Whichever team holds his rights can exercise a $22.5 million team option on his deal for 2027 ahead of a May 1 deadline.
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