Rams Reportedly Eyeing Trade for Recent Top Draft QB to Back Up Stafford

Los Angeles looking to upgrade from unproven Stetson Bennett as Matthew Stafford's understudy.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:06pm

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The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly considering a trade to acquire young quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to serve as a high-upside backup to veteran starter Matthew Stafford. With Stafford nearing the end of his prime, the Rams are looking to add a talented young QB who could develop behind the former Super Bowl champion.

Why it matters

The Rams' current backup quarterback, Stetson Bennett, has limited NFL experience and off-field concerns, leading the team to explore upgrading the position. Bringing in a raw but physically gifted prospect like Richardson could pay dividends down the line if he's able to learn behind Stafford and develop into a potential future starter.

The details

According to reports, the Rams would have to part with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round selection to acquire Richardson from his current team. The deal would be contingent on Richardson starting more than nine games, indicating the Rams would be taking on some risk with the young QB's development. However, head coach Sean McVay has a track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks, which could help Richardson reach his full potential.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft took place in April, when the Rams' reported interest in Richardson emerged.

The players

Matthew Stafford

The veteran quarterback and Super Bowl champion for the Los Angeles Rams.

Anthony Richardson

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a young quarterback with high upside who the Rams are reportedly interested in acquiring.

Stetson Bennett

The Rams' current backup quarterback, who has limited NFL experience and off-field concerns.

Sean McVay

The head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks.

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What they’re saying

“The Rams roster Stetson Bennett as the team's only backup right now. Is Bennett the answer? Surely not. He has dealt with off-field issues and has zero career NFL snaps. McVay will surely add a backup quarterback, and with Richardson, he gets a high-upside quarterback rather than a career backup.”

— Thomas Carelli, Sports Illustrated Writer

What’s next

The Rams will need to finalize any potential trade for Anthony Richardson before the start of the 2026 NFL season, as they look to solidify their quarterback depth chart behind Matthew Stafford.

The takeaway

The Rams' reported interest in acquiring Anthony Richardson highlights their desire to find a high-potential backup quarterback to develop behind the aging Matthew Stafford. While Richardson is a raw prospect, the Rams' track record of quarterback development under Sean McVay could help him reach his full potential and potentially become Stafford's successor down the line.