Could Colts trade Anthony Richardson? What QB's benching could mean for future

The Indianapolis Colts made a quarterback change entering Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season. Second-year signal-caller Anthony Richardson was benched in favor of 17-year veteran Joe Flacco as Indianapolis looks to make a playoff run.

Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was viewed as a raw but potential-packed prospect coming out of Florida. Developing him was going to take some time, but if a team brought him along the right way, they might be able to reap Josh Allen-like rewards from him.

The Colts looked like a good landing spot for Richardson, given head coach Shane Steichen's success developing Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. But after giving Richardson just 10 starts, Indianapolis and Steichen are changing course, raising questions about what exactly the future may hold for the young quarterback.

Richardson seems likely to remain with the Colts throughout the 2024 NFL season and beyond, as there are no legitimate trade rumors presently surrounding him.

Still, the Colts could consider attempting a quarterback reset during the offseason if they aren't sold on Richardson's development to date.

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Could Colts trade Anthony Richardson?

The Colts almost certainly aren't going to deal Richardson before the 2024 NFL trade deadline. After all, they decided to bench him just six days before the trade deadline and are only a year and a half into their five years of team control over the 22-year-old quarterback.

There are no legitimate trade rumors surrounding Richardson ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Unless a blockbuster comes together rapidly, the Colts will likely to hold onto their 2023 first-round pick and try to develop him behind the scenes as Flacco's backup.

That said, Steichen didn't exactly commit to Richardson as Indianapolis' long-term quarterback. He told reporters during a news conference on Oct. 30 that he's "not losing faith" in Richardson becoming a starter but was noncommittal about the Florida product's eventual return to the lineup.

"I can’t predict the future, but, I mean, that would be great," Steichen said when asked about Richardson potentially starting again. "We’ll see."

Steichen's assessment of Richardson was particularly lukewarm compared to the one Dave Canales gave fellow 2023 first-round quarterback Bryce Young when the Carolina Panthers benched him earlier in the 2024 season. At that time, Canales said the Panthers "absolutely" believed Young could be a franchise quarterback.

Is that a sign that Steichen long-term confidence in Richardson is waning? Maybe not, but Richardson's future in Indianapolis will at least bear monitoring through the end of the 2024 season and the early stages of the 2025 offseason. They may not trade Richardson, but he would garner significant interest as an offseason trade candidate.

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Anthony Richardson landing spots

If the Colts decide to move on from Richardson, much like the San Francisco 49ers did with Trey Lance ahead of his third season with the team, the top-five draft pick would draw plenty of interest as a buy-low candidate on the trade market.

Below are some of the teams that could potentially show an interest in Richardson should he become available.

New York Giants

Giving Daniel Jones a four-year, $160 million contract has predictably turned into a regrettable decision for the Giants. The good news is that New York can get out of Jones' contract with just $22.2 million in dead-cap space next offseason. They will jump at the chance to do that but will need to find a cheap, potential-packed starter to replace him. Richardson fits the bill and has similar traits to Josh Allen, who Brian Daboll helped to effectively develop during his time with the Buffalo Bills.

New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers turns 41 in December and is on pace for the lowest passer rating of his career in a season during which he made more than seven starts (85.1). He may be able to reverse his decline, but the Jets still need to add a potential successor. Richardson would come at a discounted rate and could benefit from learning behind one of the best quarterbacks of the 21st century so far.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns can't get out of Deshaun Watson's disastrous contract in 2025 unless they want to absorb as $172.8 million dead-cap hit, per Spotrac.com. That will keep the struggling signal-caller on the roster, but Cleveland will likely invest in some cheap competition for him. Richardson would suffice and could be threatening as a runner paired with a healthy Nick Chubb behind the Browns' good offensive line.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have a solid defense, but their offense leaves a lot to be desired with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell as its top two quarterbacks. Richardson isn't a definitive upgrade over the duo because of his lack of polish, but his ceiling would at least give the Raiders hope that they can elevate their offense to the next level.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers seemingly still believe in Bryce Young, but perhaps he and Richardson could both use a change of scenery. If that's the case, who would say no to a swap of the two highly drafted 2023 picks? Perhaps Steichen could unlock Young's potential while Canales, who worked wonders with Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, could coax better passing habits out of Richardson.

Los Angeles Rams

Here's one more great offensive mind who could acquire Richardson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford at quarterback but they could use a successor to the soon-to-be 37-year-old. Giving Sean McVay a couple of seasons to work with Richardson behind Stafford could prove mutually beneficial and allow the Rams to remain competitive even after Stafford eventually retires.

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Anthony Richardson career stats

Richardson has posted a 5-5 career record as a starter in 10 games. He has struggled to consistently complete passes but has generated solid production on the ground, averaging 37.8 rushing yards per game.

Here's a look at the notable passing and rushing stats from his career to date:

• Comp. %: 50.2

• Passing yards: 1,535

• Passing TDs: 7

• INTs: 8

• Yards per attempt: 7.1

• Passer rating: 68.8

• Carries: 66

• Rushing yards: 378

• Rushing TDs: 5

• Yards per carry: 5.7

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Anthony Richardson benching could mean for Colts QB's future