Browns Linked to Trading for Former First-Round QB Richardson

Cleveland looking to bolster QB depth with reclamation project from Colts

Feb. 28, 2026 at 9:23pm

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The Cleveland Browns are reportedly considering trading for former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, a 2023 first-round pick who has struggled to find success in the NFL so far. Richardson would likely compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, but his poor completion percentage and issues with maturity and work ethic raise questions about whether he would be an upgrade over Cleveland's current options.

Why it matters

The Browns have had instability at quarterback for years, cycling through multiple starters and failing to find a long-term solution. Bringing in Richardson could be a high-risk, high-reward move, but it may not address the team's fundamental issues at the position.

The details

Richardson, the fourth overall pick in 2023, has completed just 50.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over three NFL seasons, including 15 starts. Reports suggest immaturity and a poor work ethic have contributed to his struggles. The Colts are believed to be ready to move on from Richardson, with rookie Riley Leonard emerging as a potential backup option. For the Browns, Richardson would likely compete with Shedeur Sanders, who started 7 games as a rookie in 2025, for the starting job, but his poor statistical production raises doubts about whether he would be an upgrade.

  • The Browns are considering trading for Richardson this offseason.

The players

Anthony Richardson

A former first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts who has struggled with accuracy and maturity issues in his first three NFL seasons.

Shedeur Sanders

The Browns' most likely starting quarterback for 2026 after going 3-4 as a rookie in 2025.

Deshaun Watson

The Browns' current backup quarterback who has not played for the team since October 2024 due to his large salary cap hit.

Dillon Gabriel

The Browns' third-string quarterback in 2025 who went 1-5 as the team's starter.

Riley Leonard

The Colts' rookie quarterback who is reportedly emerging as a potential backup option, potentially making Richardson expendable.

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What they’re saying

“There's a growing belief within the Colts organization that Riley Leonard has shown enough coming off of his rookie year to be a No. 2 quarterback based on his performance in practice and in his lone start against the Houston Texans in the season finale.”

— Stephen Holder, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Browns will need to decide in the coming weeks whether trading for the struggling Richardson is worth the risk, or if they should look to address the quarterback position through other means such as the draft.

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains in flux, and bringing in Richardson would be a high-risk, high-reward move that may not solve their long-standing issues at the position. Cleveland may be better off looking to the draft or other trade options to find a more reliable solution under center.