Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts appear to be headed toward a split, and one NFL analyst believes the San Francisco 49ers could be an ideal landing spot for the former first-round quarterback.
Several NFL Media experts recently identified ideal trade fits—destinations where Richardson might rejuvenate his career. Maurice Jones-Drew pointed to the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams as two intriguing possibilities.
"Sam Darnold went from former first-round bust to Super Bowl champion, and a huge player in that career turnaround was learning from coaches Kyle Shanahan and Kevin O'Connell during stops in San Francisco and Minnesota, respectively," Jones-Drew wrote. "Richardson could be the NFL's next reclamation project if he lands in the right spot after his tumultuous stint in Indy. Learning under Shanahan or Sean McVay in Los Angeles could help Richardson turn his career around and potentially earn another chance to eventually start."
Naming the 49ers as a potential fit is somewhat surprising. The team currently has Mac Jones slated to remain Brock Purdy's primary backup. However, Jones' strong play this past season has fueled speculation about his NFL future.
Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have expressed a desire to keep Jones on the roster, allowing him to finish out the two-year deal he signed in 2025. Still, Jones' value increased significantly after he started eight games in place of an injured Purdy.
Jones went 5–3 as a starter, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His performance likely drew interest from quarterback-needy teams, and the 49ers could receive trade inquiries this offseason.
"He's really good for us, and we value that," Lynch said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "And so, somebody would have to come with something fairly strong for us to consider (trading him). And then, I don't know what we do.
"Obviously, there's always something that would make you (do it), but I think we're a better team with him on it, and we just like having him around."
Meanwhile, Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has spent his entire NFL career with the Colts. He has completed just 50.6 percent of his passes for 2,400 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
It remains unclear whether the 49ers would have a genuine interest in Richardson. If Jones were traded, it seems more likely that San Francisco would explore free-agent options rather than pursue Richardson via trade to fill the backup quarterback role.