The New York Giants needed a quarterback this week and traded for J.J. McCarthy. They never called the Indianapolis Colts about Anthony Richardson, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who also reported that the Colts aren’t looking to move their backup.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox still thinks Richardson would be better off elsewhere. He put the 24-year-old on his list of players who could use a change of scenery and named the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings as ideal landing spots. Knox’s case is about next year. He wrote that Richardson is “unlikely to draw significant interest as a prospective starter” in free agency, so joining a team with an open quarterback question now would give him a head start on the job.
Why Miami and Minnesota fit Anthony Richardson
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Miami is 0-3 and averaging 12 points per game. Malik Willis has completed 57 percent of his passes for 627 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference, and the Dolphins could look for another quarterback in the spring.
Minnesota’s situation is different. The Vikings are 3-0, but Kyler Murray is on a one-year deal, and the McCarthy trade left only Carson Wentz and rookie Max Brosmer behind him. Head coach Kevin O’Connell also comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree. Fowler reported that Richardson would be interested in learning in that kind of system, though he added that it doesn’t feel feasible this season.
Richardson’s production hasn’t matched his physical ability so far. The fourth pick in the 2023 draft is 8-7 as a starter and has completed 50.6 percent of his career passes with 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference. He has also run for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns. His only action this season is two pass attempts behind Daniel Jones.
The Colts declined his fifth-year option in April, so he’ll be a free agent in March either way. Richardson asked for a trade in February, and general manager Chris Ballard kept him.
Nothing suggests that changes before the Nov. 10 deadline. Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, told The Athletic last month that the trade request is no longer on the table. “Chris has made it abundantly clear Anthony is gonna be here,” Jackson said.
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