Bold Trade Idea Sends Colts Former First Round Draft Pick Away
Posted October 22, 2025
One of the biggest storylines of the 2025 NFL season is quarterback Daniel Jones leading the Indianapolis Colts to the best record in the league after Week 7.
Indy is off to its best start since 2009 and proving week after week that the team should be considered a serious Super Bowl contender.
Jones is having one of the best starts to his career, ranking in the top five in passing yards and rushing touchdowns as a quarterback, putting his name in the MVP conversation.
This leaves 2023 fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson in a hard situation, with questions surrounding the future of his career.
Richardson, who is still only 23 years old, will have plenty more opportunities to prove that he can play in the NFL, just not in Indianapolis. One NFL writer believes that the former Florida Gator can use a team in the AFC East to prove his worth.
Anthony Richardson To New York?
The New York Jets had high hopes for the 2025 season with new head coach Aaron Glenn and $40 million signing, Justin Fields.
While the team wasn’t aiming too high, they were at least hoping for a better record than the 2024-25 season’s 5-12 record. It seems unlikely to happen as the team remains winless after seven weeks.
Zachary Rotman of FanSided believes that for backup quarterback Anthony Richardson to continue his career, he should be traded to the New York Jets
“It might be premature for the Indianapolis Colts to give up on the guy they drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft just two years later, but that’s exactly what they did when they chose to start Daniel Jones over him,” Rotman wrote. “Jones, to his credit, has proven the Colts right more than anyone could’ve expected, and that makes Richardson incredibly expendable. That’s where the New York Jets factor in.”
“Anthony Richardson might be a complete bust, but he only has 15 starts under his belt and obviously has a lot of talent. The Jets have nothing to play for, and both [Justin] Fields and [Tyrod] Taylor should not be in the organization next season. Why not make a trade for someone like Richardson who just might show something? Worst case, they select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. Best case, they luck into their next franchise quarterback.”
Richardson is currently dealing with a fractured orbital bone that put him on injured reserve. If the Jets were to trade for the quarterback, it would be some time before he returns to the practice field and a bit longer before he plays in a game for the franchise.
What’s Next For Justin Fields?
Justin Fields has 845 passing yards through six games this season. The former Ohio State Buckeye has three games under 50 passing yards for the Jets and has only thrown for four touchdown passes.
The majority of full-time starting quarterbacks in the NFL have passed the 1,000 mark in a similar amount of time, barring injury or QB changes.
While there was hype surrounding his move to New York, it has failed to meet expectations.
Fields is only 26 years old and, like Anthony Richardson, can prove that he can play in the NFL but for a different organization.
Both players can use a fresh change of scenery, though Fields’ time appears to be running out. If things don’t change for him, he might have to continue his career as a solid backup QB.
Brashard Smith is starting to earn a real role in Chiefs offense
The Kansas City Chiefs obliterated the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Hilarious stats and rare feats aimed at the Raiders certainly made this division beatdown even more exciting for Chiefs fans. Kansas City has regained its high-flying offense over the last month or so, and Patrick Mahomes is playing at a tremendous level. That has resulted in many of K.C.'s weapons beginning to get in a groove.
Yet it's important to consider some players who aren't among the top options on offense, yet whose presence is crucial in smaller ways. That's held true for rookie running back Brashard Smith.
Smith is not the top running back on the depth chart. But as the offense has continued to improve, he has been jumping out with his handful of touches. The amount of chances he is getting has increased as a result. In turn, the snap counts for Brashard Smith are noticeably important to monitor moving forward as well.
The Chiefs gave Smith 19 total touches on Sunday. Against the Raiders, he had 39 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards. That equates to roughly 4.26 yards per touch. Smith's yards and efficiency are one thing to admire from the box score.
Brashard Smith continues to pop noticeably at running back for the Chiefs.
However, the ways in which he is creating positive gains are what are truly exciting for Kansas City's offense moving forward. Smith displayed tough, physical running when given some carries against the Raiders. He fought through contact to work and find extra hidden yards. In some cases, that was the difference between converting for a first down or not against the Raiders.
We know his initial college football history as a pass catcher. But when watching him after the catch, Smith comes off as very instinctual. He knows where the leverage is while he works upfield. Elsewhere, Smith has done well not to waste time and space once the ball is in his hands.
Smith may not be fully developed at running back right now. Whenever he enters the game, though, there is a buzz about how the Chiefs will go about deploying him. And when he does get opportunities, it feels like Smith takes it and churns out a positive gain in a more entertaining way than expected.
This initial push from Smith from the early point of his career could come in handy both this season and moving forward. Who knows how much the Chiefs believed he would be in this position as someone worth counting on seven games into his rookie year. But also, Kansas City can navigate the running back waters a little more comfortably this offseason with decisions at the position looming.
Smith is becoming a trusted tertiary option in the Chiefs' offense, which isn't a given for any young player trying to break into Patrick Mahomes' list of preferred targets. If Brashard Smith can continue to produce in this role, he will be a critical go-to option in the quick passing game and in the screen game when Kansas City reaches the most vital part of the season.
