As the Cleveland Browns navigate another tumultuous season at the quarterback position, speculation is swirling around a potential trade for Anthony Richardson, the former fourth overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. This move would aim to bolster their quarterback options, with the intention of having Richardson compete for the starting role against Shedeur Sanders.
Richardson possesses remarkable physical attributes that have captured attention, but there have been ongoing discussions suggesting that his time in Indianapolis may be coming to an end. While the prospect of him thriving in Cleveland is uncertain, the current depth chart at quarterback looks less than promising. It appears that Sanders is poised to take the starting role, with Deshaun Watson likely serving as the backup and last year”s third-round pick, Dillon Gabriel, positioned as third-string.
Last season, Sanders ended with a record of 3-4 during his starts after he replaced Gabriel, who struggled with a 1-5 record as the team”s primary quarterback. Watson has not seen action since October 2024, but his significant salary cap hit suggests he remains part of the team”s plans for the upcoming season. On paper, the quarterback situation looks dire, and the addition of Richardson does not seem like it would enhance the situation significantly.
Throughout the previous season, the Browns often fielded two rookie quarterbacks, which highlighted their inability to consistently connect with receivers—a fundamental skill for any professional passer. Gabriel recorded a completion percentage of just 59.5, while Sanders managed a lower rate of 56.6. Overall, the team finished last in the league with a completion percentage of 57.9, a statistic that was negatively impacted by a rough start to the season under veteran Joe Flacco.
Compounding these challenges, Sanders, who is the front-runner to be the Week 1 starter for 2026, posted an unsatisfactory ratio of seven touchdown passes to ten interceptions throughout the year. In contrast, Richardson has a career completion percentage of 50.6, with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over three seasons and 15 starts.
Recent reports from ESPN”s Stephen Holder indicate a growing sentiment within the Colts organization that rookie quarterback Riley Leonard has demonstrated enough potential to warrant a backup role based on his practice performance and a single start against the Houston Texans.
With this in mind, acquiring a third-string quarterback from another team to compete for a starting position may not be perceived as an upgrade by fans or analysts. Furthermore, concerns regarding Richardson”s maturity and work ethic have surfaced, raising doubts about his fit with a team still seeking stability at the quarterback position. Given the current landscape of quarterback scarcity leading up to the draft, the Browns might be better served exploring mid-round prospects rather than taking a chance on Richardson.
