The Anthony Richardson Experience appears to be over in Indianapolis. The Colts are 2-0 with Daniel Jones as their starter. Barring an injury, he will likely remain the starter for the rest of 2025, making Richardson trade bait.
Of all the teams that could use a quarterback with raw skills and room to grow, PFSN’s Tim Crean thinks the Las Vegas Raiders are a prime candidate for him.
It’s the sort of reclamation project that Al Davis would have embraced. He’s got a big arm and athletic talents that almost defy measurement, but he needs more than just polish. Richardson needs to be somewhere that will develop and nurture him as a quarterback, not just rush him into it to justify his draft position.
How Would Anthony Richardson Fit With the Raiders?
It’s possible Richardson would fit in perfectly. There’s a veteran quarterback already in place with an established head coach who uses tons of positive reinforcement, and there would be no pressure to play him immediately.
Geno Smith could theoretically be the kind of mentor Richardson needs. Not long ago, Smith was considered a bust with the New York Jets before taking his bumps, learning the position, and becoming a Pro Bowl quarterback under Pete Carroll in Seattle.
Smith is under contract through 2027, so Richardson could have a couple of seasons to learn the pro game with a franchise that’s resetting its identity and growing a new culture.
What Would the Raiders Do With Richardson?
You can almost throw Richardson’s stats out the window at this stage. He’s already shown what he can and can’t do. He can use his legs to break downfield and has a huge arm to hit big plays downfield.
However, he’s had trouble with short and intermediate passes. He needs to develop some touch, learn how to layer his throws, and understand how to work through progressions and take what the defense gives you.
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He also needs to stay healthy. Part of the problem Richardson had in Indy was that he couldn’t stay on the field. He played only four games during his rookie year in 2023, and 2024 saw him play in only 11. So, his 8-7 record as a starter with 2,391 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions could be chalked up to being thrown into the fire before he was ready.
Richardson would be a high-reward, low-risk option. He’s only 23 years old, so it’s not unreasonable to think they could take him on and do what Indianapolis didn’t: develop him.
