Not long ago, Anthony Richardson Sr. was a top-five pick defined by projection and promise. Now, as the Indianapolis Colts move forward with Daniel Jones as their new quarterback, Richardson finds himself in a quieter chapter, one where the future is no longer being written for him but waiting on him to prove it still can be.
Anthony Richardson Sr.’s Trade Value Is Caught Between Cost and Projection
According to league insider Jason La Canfora, the market for Richardson “has been very minimal. The market was flooded with other former first-round picks available for the veteran minimum, working against what was an already-limited market for Richardson, and some teams are also shying away for health issues.”
Beyond stalled trade discussions, Richardson remains focused on the work, as a recent clip he shared showed him training.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. putting in some offseason work, via IG:
“one day or day one? 🤔 slow grind baby 😁”
Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, formally requested a trade last month. —> https://t.co/8a4pqEnC85 pic.twitter.com/fRWK1yy1qu
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) March 24, 2026
The NFL has little patience for quarterbacks who require extended development. Richardson has always been that type of player — not unfinished carelessly, but unfinished in a way that demands time, and time is the resource teams guard most closely.
Injuries have punctuated his career more than stretches of play. A shoulder surgery ended his rookie season almost immediately.
The following year brought further setbacks, including oblique and back injuries that stalled momentum. In 2025, an orbital fracture occurred before the season even began.
There is a version of this story where flashes of brilliance compensate for the interruptions. But that is where complications arise. When Richardson has played, the talent has been evident in moments, but consistency has not followed. His 2024 season, the closest to a full sample size, left evaluators uneasy.
His completion percentage fell below 50%, interceptions outnumbered touchdowns, and he posted a score of 72.6 on PFSN’s QB Impact Metric.
Development requires repetition, and injuries have taken those away.
Financial considerations add another layer. A $10.8 million cap hit may not seem excessive until measured against 15 career starts marked by gaps.
Across the league, there are cheaper risks, easier bets, and players who do not require as much imagination. That may be the central issue. Richardson still asks teams to imagine, to believe in a version of him that has not fully arrived. At present, most are unwilling to do so.
