The available QB2 options for the New York Jets are rapidly dwindling, as we have discussed ad nauseam.

With the team apparently still awaiting Russell Wilson’s decision, there aren’t many viable veterans remaining on the open market. Perhaps that’s the only reason speculation about outside-the-box options and potential longshots is warranted.

An intriguing name — on that front — could be made available on the trade market in former first-round pick Anthony Richardson.

The current situation

Richardson’s situation with the Indianapolis Colts is interesting.

In February, the Florida Gators product requested a trade and didn’t initially report to the team’s voluntary offseason workout program. However, while he hasn’t rescinded his trade offer, he reported to the Colts’ offseason workouts.

When asked about his trade request, Colts head coach Shane Steichen sidestepped the question.

“He’s back in the fold right now. That part’s been good,” Steichen said, per James Boyd of The Athletic. “He’s working, going through his fundamentals, details, out there throwing with the guys. And that’s where it’s at right now.”

Throughout his first three professional seasons, Richardson has not lived up to his hype, to put it mildly.

The backdrop

The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft got off to an admirable start in his rookie season, leading Indy to a 2-2 record over his first four games. He completed 59.5% of his passes for 577 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. He also added 136 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground across 66 attempts.

A shoulder injury, unfortunately, cut his rookie campaign short, limiting him to just those four starts.

The young gunslinger regressed in 2024. Leading the team to a 6-5 record in 11 starts, he completed under half of his passing attempts (47.7%) for 1,814 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While he contributed 499 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, he also incredibly fumbled the ball 9 times.

Furthermore, concerns about his leadership arose during the season when he subbed himself out in the third quarter of the Colts’ Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans, citing that he “needed a breather.”

In 2025, his action was limited, appearing in just two games while attempting two passes. He also suffered an orbital fracture in October, which placed him on injured reserve.

The answer

While it is fair to say the Jets still have a need at backup quarterback, Richardson is far from the solution.

First, his recent play has been lackluster.

Looking at his resume over the past two seasons, he is far from a viable No. 2 option. You can make a case that Bailey Zappe, who the Jets currently have rostered, is a steadier option than Richardson.

Add the potential character and/or off-field problems into the mix, and it quickly becomes a situation the Jets simply don’t need at this point in their rebuilding efforts.

Ultimately, the New York Jets could still add a veteran to fill the QB2 void before the start of the 2026 season, but making a move to trade for Anthony Richardson simply isn’t the answer.