Former NFL QB likes Packers as top trade fit for Anthony Richardson
· Yahoo Sports
Could the Green Bay Packers attempt to revive the career of another highly talented quarterback after turning Malik Willis into a coveted free agent over the last two seasons? A former NFL quarterback likes the idea.
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In assessing "trade fits" for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, David Carr of NFL.com picked the Packers as his top landing spot.
"Malik Willis developed greatly as a backup for two seasons under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, and now, he's in line to earn a second starting opportunity in free agency," Carr wrote. "If Willis does sign with another team, Green Bay would be a great fit for Richardson, who would no doubt benefit learning from LaFleur and working behind Jordan Love. The former first-round QB has the talent to play in this league and could be the next quarterback to resurrect his career if he lands in the right system."
The Colts have given Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, a chance to seek a trade this offseason. He made only 15 starts during his first three seasons, and the Colts went with veteran Daniel Jones over Richardson to start the 2025 season. With Jones likely to return to Indianapolis in 2026, it makes perfect sense for both sides to move on -- and the Packers will need to develop a backup plan behind Jordan Love with Willis likely to sign a lucrative contract with another team next month.
In theory, Richardson to the Packers is a win-win idea for both the player and team. Richardson needs to rebound from a failed stint in Indianapolis and could use an opportunity to sit and develop in a quarterback-friendly scheme and situation. The Packers won't have Willis -- who appeared in 11 games over the last two seasons -- come the start of the 2026 season, and Richardson would provide a massive upgrade in terms of talent and potential over Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord. Green Bay's work with Willis between 2024 and 2025 provides a clear blueprint for getting more out of Richardson's obvious talent.
While both highly athletic quarterbacks who need (or needed) refinement as passers, Richardson and Willis aren't perfectly comparable players or situations. Willis cost only a seventh-round pick before the start of the 2024 season, and he had two years left on his rookie deal. Richardson will likely have a more expensive price tag, and he's entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026.
The Packers already lack draft capital entering the 2026 draft and likely won't want to give up a pick for a one-year rental at backup quarterback. But if the price is right, the potential of a valuable return is there -- rehabbing Richardson for a year in Green Bay could make him an attractive free agent option come the 2027 offseason.
Also, Love has missed two starts and parts of a handful of other games during each of the last two seasons. Having a capable backup quarterback in Willis has saved the Packers in back-to-back years, so the franchise should understand how valuable it is to have a capable player behind Love.
It's an enticing scenario. The Packers upgrade at backup quarterback. Richardson gets a year to grow and develop on the Willis path. And both potentially benefit come the next free agent cycle in 2027. While no two players or situations are the same, the Packers have a proof of concept. The only issue is cost. If the Packers and Colts could figure out a fair deal that wouldn't significantly hurt Green Bay's already lacking draft capital for 2026, Richardson makes all the sense in the world as the next Malik Willis project.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Former NFL QB likes Packers as trade fit for Anthony Richardson