NFL Trade Rumor: Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions become top landing spots for $33M Indianapolis Colts QB

The Indianapolis Colts’ star player Anthony Richardson is actively seeking a trade since the last few weeks even as he continues to attend the team’s OTAs. While a number of teams have been linked to him, it seems the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions have emerged as strong landing spots for the star player.While a number of rival teams have been linked to him, as per reports, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings have their eye on Anthony Richardson even though nothing has been confirmed yet.A few days ago, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano predicted that the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions could be looking to trade for Anthony Richardson.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano noted in a recent report, “Richardson wants to be in a variation of the McVay-Shanahan-LaFleur system and took notice of what Packers coach Matt LaFleur did with Malik Willis. Green Bay signed Tyrod Taylor earlier this month but at a modest $2.5 million. With this trade, Indianapolis adds much-needed draft capital and moves forward with Riley Leonard as its No. 2 quarterback. And Green Bay asks Indy to cover a portion of Richardson's $5.4 million in 2026 guarantees.”ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano added, “Backup quarterback has been an issue for the Lions, as Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen have not been enough to stop the team from yanking Teddy Bridgewater away from high school coaching in Florida. General manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell tend to like quarterbacks with bigger bodies, so Richardson is a good fit. Campbell is an elite motivator who might help light a new fire under Richardson, either as a backup who prepares the right way or as a spot starter in the event of a Jared Goff injury.”Anthony Richardson’s contract has presented a relatively unique situation for the star player.If he is traded before 1st August, an acquiring team would have to take on his entire $5.385 million guaranteed payout, including a large training camp roster bonus.But if he gets traded after 1st August, the Indianapolis Colts would have to pay the bonus, which will lower Richardson's incoming salary cap hit to $1.145 million which will be pretty affordable for his new team.For the Indianapolis Colts, trading Anthony Richardson would mean incurring a $5.43 million dead cap hit but it will also clear the path for rookie Riley Leonard to develop as the primary backup without any quarterback drama.For the Detroit Lions, adding Anthony Richardson would serve as an impactful backup behind Jared Goff.For the Green Bay Packers, trading for Anthony Richardson would be relatively affordable as someone who can step in without ruining the team's playoff hopes if Jordan Love gets hurt in the middle of the season.