Latest Anthony Richardson Trade Rumors Amid Buzz on Daniel Jones' Contract and Colts Future

The Indianapolis Colts are giving permission to Anthony Richardson's representatives to seek a trade involving the young quarterback, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reported the two parties concluded "it was best for both sides to examine trade options."

This is a telling indicator as to how the Colts see the 2023 first-round pick fitting into their plans, and it strengthens the notion Daniel Jones won't be going anywhere.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday the team has discussed a multiyear contract with Jones, and applying the franchise or transition tag could be an option.

An easy conclusion to draw is that the Colts are relatively confident in their ability to retain Jones. Otherwise, losing him and trading Richardson would leave Riley Leonard as the only quarterback on the roster.

While Richardson's NFL career hasn't really gotten off the ground, he's likely to have some suitors.

The quarterback market is so thin this offseason that Malik Willis, who has made six total starts, could sign a contract that averages $30 million or more annually, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Acquiring Richardson might be a better roll of the dice than overpaying for a free agent or reaching for a QB in the first round of the draft.

Willis is also an example of how a change of scenery can be beneficial for a young passer. As a member of the Green Bay Packers, he was a vastly better player compared to his first two years with the Tennessee Titans.

The Richardson skeptics, however, will cite Justin Fields as a case where people can talk themselves into a quarterback who simply isn't that good. Fields hasn't fared any better after leaving the Chicago Bears than he did with the team.

Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, who had mid-career renaissances, are the exception rather than the rule. More often than not, the potential never materializes when a highly touted draft prospect has a rough start to his NFL run.

Finding a new team will at least give Richardson a pathway to a starting job that doesn't seem to exist in Indianapolis. Assuming he's a free agent next spring — he has a $23.5 million club option for 2027 — he can play his way into a big contract if everything starts to click for him on the field.