The Colts enter the NFL Draft with a pair of players officially on the trade block: longtime veteran nickel Corner Kenny Moore II and their 2023-2024 Week 1 QB starter Anthony Richardson Sr. Things have certainly not gone to plan for the latter’s career, as Richardson has struggled with injuries, game prep/film study, and playbook readiness compared to his contemporaries and recently to 2025 starting QB Daniel Jones. With one year left on his contract, the Colts have given him the freedom to pursue
a trade destination.
One location that makes a lot of sense: the Pittsburgh Steelers, might have more traction than others. Recently NFL insider Kay Adams brought this trade idea to the forefront for several reasons:
- Aaron Rodgers’ non-committal status to return to the Steelers after showing signs of regression in 2025. They reportedly won’t hear from Rodgers until after the draft, leaving their QB position’s present and future up in the air with just Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the roster at this moment.
- Need to address the position without investing too much (both in cap to still have money to retain Rodgers if need be, and in terms of draft capital to not upset and upset Rodgers like the Packers with Jordan Love). Adams specifically says Richardson would cost a “mid to late Round pick” to get.
- Richardson is only 23 years old with “unlimited upside” per Adams.
- Can either sit behind Rodgers and develop for a year or be a test for how good of a coach and developer new Head Coach Mike McCarthy is to make the most of his talent in 2026 immediately if Rodgers opts not to return.
- If it doesn’t work out the Steelers can pick high in a reportedly QB heavy top of the 2027 Draft that is more akin to the 2024 level at the position compared to 2026.
While one insider saying something like this while being close to Draft time is not anything unprecedented or breaking news… Kay Adams has had some recent success in either reading the tea leaves, reading the situation around the trade market, or has good connections and sources to make the case for these moves. Case in Point: The Dexter Lawrence trade.
Perhaps there is some smoke to this trade fire? With the NFL world at the precipice of the NFL Draft now, we may find out shortly if Kay Adams nailed another trade rumor/idea. The Colts certainly want to acquire more draft picks, and sending their former starting QB off in a trade is one such way to get more rolls of the dice in a class filled with talented defenders to add to a Defense in need of a youth and skill infusion.
With the draft fast approaching, any Richardson trade is likely going to happen very soon.
