ESPN Analyst Floats Steelers Trade For Former First-Round Quarterback

Another national analyst suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers take a low-risk gamble on a high-reward quarterback.

The Indianapolis Colts named Daniel Jones their starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson, whose future is already in doubt two years after getting drafted at pick No. 4. While the quarterback hasn’t requested a trade, his agent told ESPN’s Stephen Holder that their trust in the organization is “at best questionable right now.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pitched 10 hypothetical trades. The analyst had the Steelers sending a fourth-round draft pick to the Colts for Richardson.

Barnwell noted that the 23-year-old Richardson hasn’t received too many reps in 15 career starts, and he’d come on a manageable rookie contract over the next two seasons.

“Richardson simply hasn’t been up to the task of playing quarterback at the professional level, but he also has thrown just 348 pro passes,” Barnwell wrote. “The Steelers wouldn’t be on the hook for an exorbitant deal, as he is owed $1 million in 2025 and $5.4 million in 2026, all of which is guaranteed. If the Steelers think there’s a possibility of him turning into a viable starter next season, the 23-year-old would be worth the risk, especially given their current alternatives.”

Richardson would give the Steelers another long-term possibility under center. Aaron Rodgers is likely a one-year stopgap at age 41. Mason Rudolph isn’t a franchise talent, and sixth-round rookie Will Howard is a long shot to command starting reps.

However, Richardson could contribute in other ways this season. Barnwell, who likened the deal to the Dallas Cowboys trading for Trey Lance in 2023, pointed out that Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has previously schemed running formations for quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Justin Fields.

“Richardson can inherit the package of run concepts Fields ran a year ago, and if Rodgers gets hurt or struggles, Smith could try to build an entire game plan around those strengths, just as Titans predecessor Matt LaFleur did for Malik Willis in Green Bay last season,” Barnwell said. “Could the same organization that once developed Kordell Stewart into a player who received MVP votes turn Richardson into its quarterback of the future?”

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently had the same idea of Pittsburgh acquiring Richardson. Even if Steelers general manager Omar Khan also likes the idea, the Colts may not be ready to move on from Richardson this summer.

More NFL: NFL Trade Idea Sees Steelers Get Quarterback, Former No. 4 Pick