Patriots could explore Anthony Richardson trade to protect Drake Maye investment and elevate quarterback depth
The New England Patriots appear to have secured their long-term franchise cornerstone in Drake Maye, but prudent roster construction demands that they fortify the position behind him rather than assume uninterrupted availability.
Quarterback remains the most consequential position in professional football, and history consistently demonstrates how quickly championship aspirations can unravel when depth at that spot proves insufficient.
Even a minor multi-week injury to Maye could place New England in a precarious competitive position, particularly in a tightly contested AFC landscape.
For that reason, the Patriots must evaluate all realistic avenues to strengthen their quarterback room this offseason, including trade possibilities that balance upside with cost control.
One intriguing option is Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, a former top-five draft pick whose early professional career has not unfolded as originally projected.
Indianapolis selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, investing heavily in his rare physical profile and dynamic dual-threat skill set.
Across three seasons, Richardson has appeared in 17 games, started 15, and thrown for 2,400 yards with 11 touchdowns, numbers that reflect flashes of promise but lack sustained consistency.
Injuries have significantly disrupted his development arc, limiting practice continuity and game reps that are essential for young quarterbacks refining decision-making and pocket discipline.
This past season, Richardson appeared in only two games after veteran Daniel Jones secured the starting role during training camp.
When Jones later suffered a torn Achilles midway through the year, Richardson’s prior injuries and lack of rhythm prevented him from seizing the opportunity to reclaim the job decisively.
Given that trajectory, the Colts appear increasingly inclined to reset their quarterback strategy, potentially making Richardson available at a reduced acquisition cost.
From New England’s perspective, the financial structure presents both challenge and opportunity.
Richardson is entering the final year of his rookie deal and carries a projected $10 million cap hit, a figure that requires careful evaluation within the Patriots’ broader cap framework.
The fifth-year option decision must be made this offseason, and it is unlikely that New England would exercise it without extended evaluation in their own system.
Therefore, any trade would effectively represent a one-year audition extending through the 2026 season.
The Patriots currently have Joshua Dobbs under contract as the primary backup, though releasing him would free approximately $3 million in cap space.
Dobbs offers experience and composure, but the question remains whether he provides enough ceiling to sustain competitiveness if Maye were sidelined for a prolonged stretch.
Richardson, by contrast, brings a dramatically higher athletic ceiling, including elite arm strength and explosive mobility that can stress defenses even when passing efficiency fluctuates.
His developmental inconsistencies stem largely from limited live-game reps rather than lack of raw tools, suggesting that environment and coaching could materially influence his trajectory.
New England’s offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has a well-established reputation for maximizing quarterback strengths while structuring schemes that simplify reads.
McDaniels’ history of refining mechanics, enhancing situational awareness, and tailoring playbooks to individual skill sets could provide the structured environment Richardson has yet to fully experience.
The Patriots would not be acquiring Richardson with the intention of displacing Maye, but rather to create layered insurance and potentially cultivate a high-upside contingency plan.
In a league where quarterback injuries frequently reshape postseason landscapes, depth at the position often separates resilient contenders from fragile ones.
The cost of acquisition would need to remain proportionate to Richardson’s developmental stage, ideally involving mid-round draft capital rather than premium assets.
If Indianapolis is motivated to move on, the Patriots may be able to negotiate from a position of leverage given the public uncertainty surrounding Richardson’s standing.
Strategically, such a move reflects risk management rather than quarterback controversy, acknowledging that roster insulation at premium positions is a hallmark of sustainable contenders.
Should Richardson respond positively to coaching and system clarity, New England could find itself holding a valuable asset entering the following offseason.
Conversely, if development stalls, the short-term commitment limits financial exposure while preserving flexibility.
Ultimately, pursuing Anthony Richardson would represent a calculated, forward-thinking maneuver designed to protect the Drake Maye investment while potentially unlocking dormant talent within a disciplined organizational structure.
