As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders are weighing a quarterback pivot that could change the franchise’s trajectory. Multiple national reports now project the Raiders as a realistic landing spot for former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson, a move framed as both a midseason stabilizer and a longer‑term reset.
Raiders Want To Trade Anthony Richardson
A widely circulated deadline forecast outlines a scenario in which the Indianapolis Colts trade Richardson, reasoning that Daniel Jones has seized the starting job after a 7-1 start, while Las Vegas reassesses its quarterback plan.
“It’s pretty obvious Daniel Jones is the Colts’ guy, and equally obvious that Geno Smith is not the guy in Las Vegas,” the prediction reads, arguing a reclamation play could position the Raiders for a 2026 competition.
Las Vegas has been specifically linked to a package headlined by cornerback Eric Stokes, discussed as a one‑year rental for an Indy secondary that has battled coverage issues, with mid‑round draft compensation also part of the proposed terms. The framework underscores how each team’s present need could align before the deadline clock expires.
Richardson’s contract profile fits a cap‑flexible bet. He is on a four‑year rookie deal worth approximately $34 million and includes a fifth‑year option decision due next spring, giving a buyer both cost control and optionality through 2027 if the on‑field development trends upward.
Availability is a factor in any negotiation. Richardson is currently on injured reserve following surgery for an orbital fracture suffered during pregame warmups, and there remains no firm timetable for return. That status has fueled speculation about his immediate role wherever he plays next, but has not quieted interest in a low‑cost upside swing.
Separate pieces have floated alternate fits for Richardson, underscoring league‑wide demand for developmental quarterback options and suggesting his market could extend beyond a single buyer. Even so, the Raiders continue to be named frequently due to roster construction, cap positioning, and present quarterback performance.
Why Is Geno Smith Struggling With the Raiders?
Smith’s box score has invited scrutiny. Through eight weeks, he has passed for 1,417 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, a league‑high total that has tilted several games and intensified calls for contingency planning at the position. The turnover count, combined with stalled red‑zone execution, has prompted questions about fit and timeline. The veteran signal-caller ranks 27th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric with a D+ grade.
Complicating the evaluation is the contract structure. After his acquisition, Smith agreed to a two‑year, $75 million extension that runs through 2027, a commitment that signals organizational buy‑in while also requiring the front office to thread the needle between near‑term performance and the need for developmental depth. That balance is precisely why a controlled‑cost quarterback addition is being debated.
Projection pieces emphasize that Las Vegas could bring in a young passer to learn behind Smith this season, then reassess in the offseason with a head‑to‑head competition. In that scenario, the club leverages practice ramps and system integration to make a cleaner decision without rushing a change midstream.
The throughline across these reports is simple. The Raiders are being urged to explore an upside quarterback trade while their current starter fights turnover variance, a calculus driven by available capital, cap flexibility, and the scarcity of cost‑controlled quarterback talent. Whether that turns into actionable talks remains to be seen, but the smoke has grown thicker as the deadline nears.
