Packers Eye Rookie for Top Spot in Pro Bowl

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 21: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder , who covers the Indianapolis Colts, 2023 fourth overall pick quarterback Anthony Richardson, who lost the starting job to Daniel Jones in 2025, is available to trade. Per Holder, “one particular team to monitor” is the Green Bay Packers, who need a new backup quarterback in 2026 after Malik Willis signed a $67.

5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins to be their starter. Holder stated that the Colts have permitted Richardson to find a trade suitor, so he’ll have some say in where he lands. He “would be attracted to a situation that pairs him with a proven QB developer,” and Holder said that Matt LaFleur checks the box.

Richardson, 24, only has one year left on his rookie contract, and he’ll be due $5. 39 million in cash in 2026, which will be his cap hit for the Packers this year, if the team trades for him and doesn’t touch his contract. $5 million is about the cost for a veteran backup quarterback in today’s NFL already.

Whichever team trades for Richardson has the option to pick up his fifth-year option before May 1st, but I don’t think there’s a club out there that would pick up the $22. 5 million figure at this point in his career. The big question is what Richardson is worth, on top of the backup salary he’s already commanding, for just a one-year deal.