Dream Landing Spots for Anthony Richardson to Resurrect Career if Colts, QB Part Ways

The Indianapolis Colts might not say it publicly, but their experiment with quarterback Anthony Richardson has reached its conclusion.

By naming Daniel Jones as the Week 1 starter over Richardson, the Colts have essentially conceded the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft doesn't have a future in Indianapolis.

This isn't another case of the Colts asking to sit and learn behind a seasoned veteran. General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are fighting for their job and believe Jones—who has also been a major bust to this point—gives them a better chance to win now.

Unsurprisingly, Richardson's camp doesn't have a lot of faith in whatever plan Indianapolis has.

"Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now," his agent, Deiric Jackson, said, per ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold serve as two great, recent examples of how the third-year quarterback could benefit from a change of scenery, but Richardson would have to land in the right situation.

With that in mind, let's examine the best landing spots for him.

Honorable Mention: QB-Needy Teams

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski

Mayfield and Darnold were both former "busts" from the 2018 draft who have since become Pro Bowlers with new franchises. They both benefited from superior supporting casts, better coaching and a stronger sense of organizational support.

Another thing Mayfield and Darnold have in common? They got legitimate starting opportunities.

Richardson entered the 2023 draft oozing talent and upside but lacking experience. He was the seventh-ranked overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final draft board because of his NFL ceiling, but he made just 13 starts at Florida.

After starting just 15 games in two seasons with the Colts, the 23-year-old still lacks experience. He isn't going to learn much, if anything, by holding the clipboard for Jones in Indianapolis. He'd learn much more by getting on the field.

Therefore, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick should be interested in teams with an unsettled quarterback situation, such as the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

Cleveland just named 40-year-old Joe Flacco as its Week 1 starter over 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders.

Meanwhile, the Saints are still conducting a competition that involves rookie Tyler Shough, second-year man Spencer Rattler and third-year QB Jake Haener.

The Jets are rolling with Justin Fields, a 2021 first-round pick who is on his third stop and has yet to establish himself as a reliable starter.

Richardson could find early opportunities with these franchises, but they shouldn't be at the top of his wish list. Cleveland, New York and New Orleans—to a lesser extent, because Drew Brees only retired in 2021—have done nothing recently to suggest they can set up a quarterback for long-term success.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Rams head coach Sean McVay

While Richardson could benefit from gaining in-game experience, he could learn a lot by sitting behind an experienced veteran and/or learning from one of the NFL's top offensive coaches.

It's probably no coincidence Mayfield got his latest opportunity after working with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 2022 season.

Richardson could also win by landing in Los Angeles, where he would gain guidance from McVay and tutelage from Matthew Stafford. If/when he got on the field, he'd get to work with terrific pass-catchers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams too.

The Rams, meanwhile, could benefit from an added bit of QB insurance and a possible succession plan behind center.

Richardson would give the Rams a solid QB3 behind Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo and a high-ceiling prospect to develop for the post-Stafford era. With all due respect to Dresser Winn and Stetson Bennett, L.A. doesn't have a future franchise quarterback on its roster—and that roster is too good to "earn" a pick near the top of the 2026 draft.

Stafford is still one of the NFL's best when healthy, but he's 37 years old and dealing with a back injury—though he did return to practice this week.

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll

The Las Vegas Raiders don't have the same health concerns at quarterback, but they do have a questionable long-term plan.

Trade acquisition Geno Smith is the starter for the foreseeable future, but he'll turn 35 in October and is only under contract through 2027.

The Raiders have Aidan O'Connell and rookie sixth-round pick Cam Miller, but neither has the raw physical upside of Richardson.

In Las Vegas, Richardson would also get a chance to learn under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who is creative enough to highlight his strengths.

The Florida product would also get to work under head coach Pete Carroll, who has an encouraging history with dual-threat quarterbacks—it was under his guidance that Russell Wilson put together a Hall of Fame resume with the Seattle Seahawks

Oh, and did you know Tom Brady is a Raiders minority owner?

Plus, the Raiders' supporting cast has become a sneaky-good one over the past couple of offseasons. The Raiders might lack an elite receiver, but they have a good one in Jakobi Meyers, an elite tight end in Brock Bowers and a very promising running back in rookie Ashton Jeanty.

If Richardson were called upon to start in place of Smith, he'd at least have a fighting chance of playing well and earning back a bit of confidence.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

To be fair, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't that different from the Saints when it comes to developing quarterbacks. They had a great one in Ben Roethlisberger before he retired in 2022, and they've had a revolving door at the position ever since.

Yet, Pittsburgh is also one of the most stable franchises in the NFL and boasts a Hall of Fame coach in Mike Tomlin. It also happens to lack a QB plan that extends beyond this season.

The Steelers will try to win with a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in 2025. They have Mason Rudolph and rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard behind him but no permanent fix for the void that Roethlisberger's retirement created.

Richardson has the size (6'4", 244 lbs), the athleticism and the arm talent to become a new version of Big Ben with the right development and support.

Theoretically, the Steelers could provide it. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith got good enough results from Wilson and Fields last season to make the playoffs. Even though neither dual-threat signal-caller was retained, the team did try to re-sign Fields before pivoting to Rodgers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

And while Pittsburgh's supporting cast isn't as attractive as those in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, it's better than it was during Pickett's tenure. Metcalf is a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are the sort of security-blanket tight ends who can help a young quarterback thrive.

Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer

The Dallas Cowboys stumbled into a franchise quarterback when they used a fourth-round pick on Dak Prescott in 2016. Roughly a year ago, they made him the highest-paid player in NFL history with a deal that runs through 2028.

While Dallas is clearly committed to the three-time Pro Bowler, it could still provide a dream landing spot for Richardson.

Prescott has accumulated a sizeable injury history over the years and, at 32, won't suddenly become more durable. The Cowboys need a backup they can believe in, and they lost a good one when Cooper Rush departed this offseason.

Dallas traded for Joe Milton III, but he hasn't looked particularly good in the preseason. Richardson would probably be a better Plan B than either Milton or Will Grier, and it's not hard to envision Jerry Jones making a play for him.

Just two offseasons ago, Jones took a chance on 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance.

Richardson would have a reasonable chance to see the field and reestablish his NFL stock in Dallas, even if he might never become a full-time starter. The Cowboys have fantastic pass-catchers in CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and George Pickens. While they have a questionable backfield and an average offensive line, they've at least added pieces like Javonte Williams, Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker over the last two years.

There's also a non-zero chance Richardson could become the future in Dallas if he shows enough promise as Prescott's understudy.

The Cowboys could get out of Prescott's contract in 2027—saving $45 million in cap space with a post-June 1 designation—which would also be the final year of Richardson's rookie deal, if the fifth-year option is exercised.