Colts ready to dump once-promising franchise QB as Cowboys emerge in surprise trade buzz

The Dallas Cowboys have leaned on Dak Prescott as their franchise quarterback for the past decade. He is now heading into his 11th season as the undisputed starter and the team's all-time leading passer. 

Because of that stability, it caught people off guard when trade rumors suddenly linked Dallas to a quarterback, especially a former high draft pick the Indianapolis Colts are trying to dump.

That name is Anthony Richardson. The No. 4 pick from the 2023 draft lost his starting job to Daniel Jones in training camp last year. Then, in Week 6, Richardson broke his eye socket in a freak pregame accident and missed the rest of the year. 

Jones stepped in and played the best football the Colts have seen since 2009 before tearing his Achilles. Instead of going back to Richardson, Indy doubled down on Jones with a two-year deal worth up to $100 million. Richardson has only started 15 games in three injury-heavy seasons and asked for a trade in February, but nobody has traded for him yet.

That is where Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon brought Dallas into the conversation. He listed the Cowboys as a possible landing spot if the Colts move on. 

"Potential landing spots include the Cardinals — especially if Jacoby Brissett's contract dispute boils over — the Jets, once they realize Geno Smith is not the guy, or the Steelers, Cowboys, or Panthers as a premium stash-away option for 2027," Gagnon wrote.

It is just a theory for now. Dallas already has Sam Howell and Joe Milton III sitting behind Prescott, so they do not need to hunt for backup quarterbacks. Trading for Richardson's contract and trying to rebuild his game makes no sense for a team that is already set. The idea belongs on a fantasy rumor list, not Jerry Jones' actual to-do list.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis cannot find anyone willing to pay their asking price. Richardson is stuck on the roster, working out this summer and trying to lock down a backup job behind Jones. The chances of Dallas trading for him are close to zero.

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