Could Anthony Richardson Give Jared Goff Competition in Detroit?

Anthony Richardson, as it currently stands, is a bust.

He didn’t have much of a career as a Florida Gator, but his overall athleticism, cannon arm, and gigantic frame enticed the Indianapolis Colts enough to take him with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

While he has shown a few glimpses of the quarterback the Colts hoped he would be, injuries and an overall lack of progression have led Indianapolis to decline his fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Richardson’s time in Indy is over, even if he’s still wearing the horseshoe currently on his helmet.

But could a team that’s already turned a discarded former top draft QB into its franchise signal-caller do it again with Richardson?

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In a new article for ESPN, a panel of writers discussed possible trade options for players who could be on the move. One of those highlighted players was Richardson, who might not even end the year in Indianapolis at the current rate.

Stephen Holder believes the Detroit Lions could be a possible destination for the former No. 4 overall pick, with former No. 1 overall pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Jared Goff, at the helm.

“Backup quarterback has been an issue for the Lions, as Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen have not been enough to stop the team from yanking Teddy Bridgewater away from high school coaching in Florida,” wrote Holder. “General manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell tend to like quarterbacks with bigger bodies, so Richardson is a good fit. Campbell is an elite motivator who might help light a new fire under Richardson, either as a backup who prepares the right way or as a spot starter in the event of a Jared Goff injury.”

While Richardson wouldn’t truly endanger Goff’s starting spot unless he began living up to his skill ceiling under new tutelage, it could be worth what would only cost the Lions some late-round draft capital.

Right now, Anthony Richardson is a lottery ticket that is more likely to be nothing in the long run.

But hey, if he hits, then it could be a franchise-changing trade.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 8:33 PM.