The Pittsburgh Steelers need a quarterback for the 2026 season; more importantly, they need a QB for the future. Sadly, quality options are hard to come by. A reunion with a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers isn't out of the question. However, this move, at best, would help the Steelers be competitive for just one more season.
With Mike McCarthy in town, the new Steelers head coach will want to find a long-term option. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl success of former first-round journeyman Sam Darnold could prompt Pittsburgh to go after a reclamation project.
But that's highly unlikely to be Anthony Richardson.
On Tuesday, Yahoo Sports reported that it's 'inevitable' that Richardson, the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, will request a trade this offseason, as the team plans to move forward with Daniel Jones, per ESPN's Stephen Holder.
It's not hard to believe the trade buzz surrounding Richardson, which began last summer, but McCarthy and the Steelers will want no part of this.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are highly unlikely to trade for Anthony Richardson
Coming out of Florida, Anthony Richardson had every physical tool you could ask for in a quarterback. At nearly 6'4'' and 244 pounds with a rocket arm and elite athletic traits, some even drew lofty Josh Allen comparisons for the young QB. But the hype around Richardson quickly diminished.
Richardson dealt with nagging injuries in each of his first three seasons that caused him to suit up for just 17 total games since entering the league as the 4th overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft. When he's been on the field, Richardson has had a poor touchdown-to-interception ratio while earning just a 38.0 percent success rate and a 67.8 career passer rating.
As Mike Tomlin would say, he needs to 'do the routine things routinely'.... and Richardson does not.
I'd expect McCarthy would have no interest in the polarizing quarterback. Despite the unmatched physical tools and the fact that he could soon be on the trade block, McCarthy needs a quarterback who can operate his West Coast offense with timing and accuracy. This does not fit the description of Richardson.
This isn't to say that Richardson can't revive his spiraling NFL career. Not only have we seen Sam Darnold take this route, but Richardson's current teammate, Daniel Jones, was a reclamation project as a failed first-round pick of the New York Giants. Likewise, Baker Mayfield was a former No. 1 overall pick who bounced around on three teams (Browns, Panthers, and Rams) before breaking out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be entering desperation mode at quarterback, and Anthony Richardson could probably be acquired for a mid-to-late round pick. Still, Richardson doesn't fit Mike McCarthy's offense, and I would expect the Steelers to steer clear of any potential trade.