Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up before the match against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Jets Should Trade for Anthony Richardson

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Mike Roberts | Last updated Mar 8, 2026 10:00 AM ET

The Indianapolis Colts have given Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade. The New York Jets, who are in desperate need of a quarterback, should pursue the former Florida star. Richardson has shown flashes of becoming a star and possesses a ton of potential.

Indianapolis selected Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Obviously, he was supposed to become the team’s franchise quarterback. However, that never came to fruition. He has struggled with accuracy, injuries, and inconsistency during his three seasons in Indy.

Richardson’s career hasn’t gotten off to a great start, but perhaps a change of scenery would help him turn his career around.

The Jets Should Trade for Anthony Richardson

Richardson’s Career in Indianapolis

Due to injury, Anthony Richardson missed all but four games as a rookie. He returned to the field the following season, hoping to win Comeback Player of the Year Honors. Yet, he had another disappointing year. Richardson battled injuries, was benched temporarily, and struggled with accuracy issues. In 2024, he passed for 1,814 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 499 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he posted a 6-5 record as Indy’s starter.

Richardson had a few great moments in 2024. He had a game-winning touchdown run in Week 11 against the Jets. Then, in Week 13 versus the New England Patriots, he orchestrated a 19-play drive capped off with a two-point conversion.

This past season, Richardson lost his starting job to newcomer Daniel Jones. On October 13, Richardson was placed on injured reserve after fracturing the orbital bone in his eye during pregame warmups. He appeared in just two games last season, completing one of his two passes (to himself) for nine yards.

Why the Jets Should Trade for Him

Main Photo: [Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar] USA Today Sports

The Jets spent last season hoping Justin Fields would become a reliable starting quarterback. However, he wasn’t the answer and neither was Tyrod Taylor nor Brady Cook.

The Jets will miss out on Fernando Mendoza, the top quarterback in this year’s draft. Unless something really crazy happens, the Indiana Hoosiers star will go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. New York holds the No. 2 pick, and there’s no signal-caller in the draft worthy of being selected that high.

With that said, the Jets need a quarterback badly. Pursuing Anthony Richardson makes sense. Again, he was far from a superstar in Indianapolis, but a change of scenery could certainly help. Just look at guys like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who went from being busts to stars.

Richardson is extremely athletic and has a cannon for an arm. If he can somehow stay healthy and improve his accuracy, he could emerge as a major contributor in New York. Plus, he’d be an expensive pickup, seeing that he’s still on his has rookie deal. In addition, trading for Richardson would give the Jets the financial flexibility to keep building for the future.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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