The Pittsburgh Steelers are still putting all their eggs into the Aaron Rodgers basket. Back at the NFL Combine, general manager Omar Khan was adamant that the team would not allow a decision from Rodgers to linger this long; yet here we are—less than a month away from the NFL Draft, and still no answer from the aging quarterback.
The team's expected backup plan—rallying behind 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard—is a more attractive option to most fans at this point than for Rodgers to return in his age-43 season.
But there's a reclamation QB project out there who just reminded the NFL world that he's worth the gamble.
On Wednesday, video of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson surfaced on social media, showing the No. 4 pick from the 2023 NFL Draft throwing passes. Richardson was seen accurately slinging the ball and working on his mechanics.
While it's impossible to take anything tangible away from his workout via video, this is a beautiful reminder of the high-upside trade gamble the Steelers could take instead of running it back with Rodgers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should call the Indianapolis Colts about an Anthony Richardson trade
While he's technically still part of the Colts' roster, Indy dished out a massive two-year, $88 million contract to veteran QB Daniel Jones—a deal that could be worth up to $100 million. This was a clear statement that the team is moving on from Richardson.
In the process, the Colts have given Richardson permission to seek a trade... and the Steelers should take them up on that offer.
Richardson is hardly a finished product. He struggled mightily with accuracy and reading the field in his first two seasons, when he was not dealing with injuries. Because of his flaws, there's no guarantee he would work out as a reclamation project. But it's easy to see why this boom-or-bust trade candidate is the perfect upside gamble.
Richardson is still just 23 years old, entering his fourth NFL season (he'll be 24 for the 2026 season). He's younger than Steelers second-year QB Will Howard... and there's a heck of a lot more tools to work with in Richardson.
At roughly 6'4'' and 244 pounds with massive 10 1/2'' hands and 4.43 speed, Richardson has undeniable physical traits to go with remarkable arm strength. It's about refining these traits to help him reach his upside.
While his passing consistency early in his NFL career leaves a lot to be desired, it's worth mentioning that Richardson still has a winning record as a starting QB (8-7), while possessing 21 total touchdowns to 13 interceptions.
The trade price would be well worth the potential reward. Knowing he won't be part of the future, the Colts might be willing to part with Richardson for an early Day 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (which the Steelers have several of).
If the Steelers were to execute a trade, Mike McCarthy could leave an open-ended competition between Will Howard and Anthony Richardson this summer while perhaps drafting another developmental quarterback who can sit and learn the offense.
There's only a small chance that Ricahrdson turns out as the Steelers would hope, but Khan either needs to swing for the fences with a reclamation project or roll the dice with Will Howard. Signing up for another year of mediocrity with Aaron Rodgers at the helm doesn't move the franchise forward.