Vikings, Commanders and Rams named possible trade suitors for $33 million quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple decisions to make at the quarterback position in 2026.
On top of having to decide what to do with pending free agent Daniel Jones, the Colts have to contemplate the future of draft bust Anthony Richardson, who is entering the final year of his $33 million contract and is a trade candidate this offseason.
If the Colts do decide to trade Richardson, Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick named the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings as possible landing spots.
"L.A. coach Sean McVay is the poster child for offensive gurus in the NFL. Upon being hired by the Rams, he developed Jared Goff—who looked like a bust in his rookie year—into a Super Bowl-level quarterback, and a few seasons later, took the corpse of Baker Mayfield and helped him redirect his career before landing with the Buccaneers long-term," Kadlick said of the Rams. "Perhaps Richardson can be his next reclamation project."
"Speaking of coaches known for helping quarterbacks rewrite the narrative, Kevin O’Connell was caught on a hot mic several years ago giving Richardson some words of encouragement after a Vikings win over the Colts," Kadlick wrote. "Does he still believe in him? Who knows. But with J.J. McCarthy turning in a less-than-desirable season for Minnesota in 2025, it would make sense for the team to bring some competition into the quarterback room."
"Not only did the Commanders recently part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and replace him with David Blough, but they're also facing a vacancy at backup quarterback as Marcus Mariota is set to hit free agency," Kadlick said. "With a clean slate in the quarterback room (behind Jayden Daniels, of course) and familiarity with Johnson, Richardson’s fit in Washington almost makes too much sense."
While all three teams could use a quarterback in 2026, we're not sure Richardson is the right fit for the Commanders and Vikings.
The Vikings need a veteran who can compete with J.J. McCarthy and provide an upgrade if the third-year quarterback is pulled from the starting job for any reason. A reclamation project like Richardson won't check that box.
The Commanders also need a veteran backup who is more proven than Richardson just in case Jayden Daniels struggles with injury again in 2026. We firmly believe Washington will just bring Marcus Mariota back.
Our favorite suggested landing spot here is the Rams.
Matthew Stafford will be back in 2026, but he appears to be playing it year-by-year in terms of his future. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring in a project like Richardson in the hopes he improves and eventually becomes Stafford's replacement.
And few coaches in the NFL have the ability to help Richardson turn things around like Rams head coach Sean McVay.
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