Feb. 27, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks aren’t wired to volunteer for the bench, especially not former first-round draft picks. Never, during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, have we heard Lamar Jackson do so. Guys drafted to be the face of a franchise are wired differently. That’s why this one hits differently. It appears the Anthony Richardson saga has taken an unexpected but very interesting turn.
Anthony Richardson was the fourth overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, but after a series of injuries and subpar performance, his relationship with the Indianapolis Colts has soured. Both sides seem content to move on.
Anthony Richardson’s agent told FOX Sports that the young quarterback would welcome the chance to sit behind a veteran like Lamar Jackson as part of his development. The Ravens’ two-time MVP and Chiefs’ star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was cited as a proven leader Richardson could learn from while refining his mechanics and decision-making. Here’s why Jackson’s name surfaced — and what it says about his standing around the league.
Has Anthony Richardson done enough to make the Ravens pay attention?
If you’re uninterested, trust us, we totally understand. If an eyebrow raises, we totally understand that, too.
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This isn’t a player clinging to a starting job at all costs. It’s a 22-year-old with rare physical tools acknowledging that he realizes development matters. Richardson seems to understand that being around the right infrastructure could unlock everything scouts once dreamed of.
Baltimore has already built an offense tailored to Jackson’s skill set. They’ve invested in creativity, quarterback-centric design, and flexibility. If Richardson is serious about embracing a developmental season and about refining his footwork, processing speed, and accuracy instead of rushing back onto the field, there may not be a better classroom in the league than the one in Owings Mills.
Naturally, there’s a lot that would have to happen for this to transpire. Richardson isn’t eligible for free agency until 2027. He has a baked-in fifth-year option that pushes his FA eligibility until 2028. The Colts won’t be exercising that option, though.
That means the only way a Ravens acquisition could take place is if Baltimore trades for him or scoops him up if the Colts feel it’s more feasible to release him. With Richardson being a former first-round draft choice, that second idea seems unlikely. Perhaps they seek a trade.
It’s also worth noting that backup Ravens QB Tyler Huntley is an impending free agent. Meanwhile, Cooper Rush is signed through next season, but he isn’t very good. There are reasons to argue for possible Ravens interest and for arguing that Baltimore should avoid Richardson without giving this a second thought.
Statements like these are like smoke. Most never lead to any concerning fires, but given all the hype that has surrounded Richardson at various stages of his career, you certainly see why we would find this all interesting.