Anthony Richardson might have a chance at salvation if he is willing to hold a clipboard for a year.
The Los Angeles Rams have “checked in” on a trade for the Indianapolis Colts quarterback Richardson, Rams writer Kenneth Arthur of SB Nation reported this week. The news comes as trade rumors surrounding the 23-year-old Richardson continue to swirl this offseason.
Richardson, who lost his starting job to Daniel Jones in 2025, is effectively on his last legs in Indianapolis. The former No. 4 overall pick Richardson threw just two total passes for the Colts last season, in part due to Jones usurping his position and in part due to the bizarre eye injury that he suffered in October.
Even though Jones suffered a torn Achilles during a game in December, Indianapolis just recommitted to him on a big new contract this week. That means Jones is locked in as the Colts’ starter for the next couple of years to come. At the same time, Indianapolis recently gave Richardson permission to formally seek a trade.
As for the Rams, 38-year-old reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford is returning for the 2026 season, but his future looks very murky beyond that. Meanwhile, backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo remains a free agent, so only Stetson Bennett IV (who is several years older than Richardson at 28) is left on the depth chart behind Stafford.
Richardson was previously linked to the Minnesota Vikings in trade rumors, but they have since signed former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray as their new QB to compete with JJ McCarthy. If Richardson can spend the 2026 campaign learning behind Stafford, the Rams might be as good of a landing spot for him as any.
