Colts' Updated Timeline for Potential Anthony Richardson Trade

At the beginning of the offseason, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson requested a trade.

With OTAs underway, Richardson is still a member of the Colts, and the former No. 4 overall draft pick might be with the team for the foreseeable future.

The QB market around the league dried up quickly, and Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby potentially being available in the NFL Supplemental Draft is another thing that could get in the way of a Richardson trade.

A trade involving Richardson could still get done, but ESPN's Stephen Holder suggested it might not happen until after August 1 due to contract reasons.

"A future in Indianapolis seems doubtful after a messy three seasons filled with injuries, benchings and wavering by the Colts," Holder wrote. "But with most quarterback roles around the league already filled, Indianapolis' attempts to deal him might not be fruitful. Any team that trades for Richardson before Aug. 1 would pay him $5.385 million for 2026. But if he's dealt after his Aug. 1 roster bonus is paid, the amount he's owed drops to $1.145 million."

That seems to be a very logical outcome, and teams could inquire about Richardson if injuries occur to their players during the summer program.

What Teams Make Sense for a Richardson Trade

ESPN writers gave four hypothetical offers, and those teams include the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, so the entire NFC North.

The proposed offers are for a fourth or fifth-round pick, and one offer has a pick swap involved in the Richardson deal.

Holder thinks the best hypothetical offer is the Vikings, and it would give Kevin O'Connell another option in a very interesting QB room.

"It would allow Indianapolis to accommodate Richardson, as Ballard has said he'd like to do, by pairing him with a QB developer in O'Connell. That's precisely what Richardson has been hoping for," Holder wrote.

The Vikings have all of Carson Wentz, Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy battling it out, but the Vikings have been linked to Richardson for some time, so it could be a buy-low opportunity for Minnesota.

Related: Colts' Stance on Anthony Richardson Trade Request Revealed

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:11 AM.