Sean McVay’s next franchise QB is rotting on a team that's failing him

Los Angeles Rams fans sit in wonder at career turnarounds of quarterbacks who were either formerly on the roster or were within the team's grasp. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are powered by one-time LA quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Indianapolis Colts are powered by quarterback Daniel Jones, a player who showed up on the radar several times as a backup option.

Both veterans have led their respective teams to 5-1 starts. Both signal-callers have been recycled after struggling for years. It comes down to finding the right player for the right system. As such, it buoys optimism when considering taking a chance on a new player.

One such tarnished quarterback who is rotting on the vine is Colts out-of-favor quarterback Anthony Richardson.

This is the same Colts team that hit big on taking a chance on Jones (see above), but at a cost of sinking their former Round 1 quarterback selection.

Pro Football Focus names Richardson one of its top 20 trade candidates.

And PFF named the Rams as a team to watch.

Anthony Richardson could be Rams' next franchise quarterback

Richardson's name has surfaced before as someone who could benefit from a change of scenery. With LA's emphasis on aligning the current coaching staff to develop quarterbacks, it makes sense to leverage that expertise to multiple options. After all, it's certainly no secret that veteran Matthew Stafford has limited time remaining in his career.

Yes, Los Angeles is bursting with picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. But picks are merely currency. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, whom many projected as a Round 1 prospect, struggled this year before falling to a season-ending injury. That exposes the uncertainty of relying exclusively on the draft to find Stafford's successor.

Richardson comes with his own set of uncertainties. But he is a known player, and he simply needs to find the right coaching staff and players surrounding him to optimize what he brings to the football field.

Best of all, he could be available and affordable at the NFL trade deadline.

It won't be an easy trade. Indy placed Richardson on IR after he was injured by an elastic band before the Colts faced the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6. He will remain on injured reserve for at least four weeks, which means the Colts can only trade Anthony Richardson while he remains on IR. The NFL rules have been changed to allow that, but the sticking point for any trade is agreeing on compensation.

If the Rams pull the trigger on acquiring someone like Richardson, there are multiple benefits for doing so. Stafford will have the opportunity to mentor the new addition. Head coach Sean McVay and the coaching staff will have plenty of time to work with him to determine talent and fit.

And best of all, the front office will not be painted into a corner of forcing the selection of a rookie QB prospect.

Trading for a young quarterback at the deadline needn't be viewed as a win-win. Simply determining his fit before the next draft is a success, albeit not in a conventional sense.

The Colts found Jones. The Bucs found Mayfield. Perhaps the next great quarterback (re)discovery is just a phone call away.

As always, thanks for reading.

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