I know very little about Anthony Richardson the person, and I have never had the chance to meet him. Just like you, my opinion is based on the limited view I am provided through media coverage. With that said, I believe Richardson to be a good person. The following isn’t a question of whether Richardson is a good human. It is a question of why the trade market is stone-cold for his on-the-field services. Why aren’t the Indianapolis Colts fielding any trade requests for the young quarterback with
the rocket arm?
The simple answer is that Richardson is damaged goods, and in more ways than one. Once again separating the person from the player, Richardson hasn’t shown he warrants a high trade value. In 2024, Richardson’s completion percentage dropped as low as 44.4%, making him one of the least accurate quarterbacks in the last 24 years. To make matters worse, there was no consistent threat on the ground either. Sure, he could take off occasionally, but whether that is on the coaches or Richardson, we didn’t see as much of the dual threat ability as fans would have preferred. The Colts have a quarterback who can’t pass and doesn’t run as much as he could. Who is lining up to trade for that type of player?
Some of the bigger issues are found off the field. Injuries have completely derailed any momentum Richardson has had in his career. From two games here and there to massive chunks of the season, the only thing you can count on Richardson for is to be injured. That lack of on-the-field reliability is a liability. Tack on his “tap-out” game against Houston and his toughness, preparedness, mental fortitude, and desire to win come into question. Fair or not, it is a factor for teams deciding whether to give up assets for him.
The chances the Colts cut Anthony Richardson aren’t overly high. That means his best chance at a revival is this year’s training camp with the team who drafted him. He must impress early and often. The plan in Indianapolis doesn’t include Richardson. That doesn’t mean he can’t be part of what another team is doing and contribute in a meaningful way. He has to show them something they can use, though. A trade seems close to dead, but show signs of life over the next month and you never know.
