Anthony Richardson ranks among NFL's best backup QB situations in 2026

Anthony Richardson ranks among NFL's best backup QB situations in 2026. The NFL increasingly prizes reliable backups as starters miss multiple games, with Indianapolis previously turning to retired Phillip Rivers in 2025. CBS Sports places Richardson No. 10 among top backup quarterbacks entering 2026, behind Daniel Jones, who signed a two-year, $88 million contract after an Achilles injury. Indianapolis has not moved Richardson despite his request to be traded in February, keeping him as an insurance policy behind Jones during camp. His career has faced scrutiny after a 2024 season in which he started 11 games, posted 33rd in EPA per play, and had notable ball placement issues, though he also led the league in yards per completion in 2024 and remains a dynamic runner with an 18% explosive rush rate from 2023-24.